Denise Savoie
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RENEW COMMUNITY INTERNET ACCESS PROGRAM FOR VULNERABLE CANADIANS NOW: NDP
Community Access Program set to expire next week, says Savoie
OTTAWA – NDP Literacy Advocate Denise Savoie (Victoria) today called on the Conservative government to renew the Community Access Program, which supports the provision of Internet access to low-income, unemployed and homeless Canadians at more than 4,000 sites across Canada. The program expires March 31st.
“For those most vulnerable Canadians who do not own a computer or have access to the Internet at home or in their workplace, CAP is the only way to access online resources that can lead to training, employment, and a better life,” said Savoie.
Last year, CAP was cut by $6 million – almost 25%. The 2007-08 Main Estimates refer to “significant reductions” in the program, and there is no mention of it in this week’s federal budget.
“I’ve hounded Industry Minister Maxime Bernier on several occasions to formally announce the renewal of CAP and to restore the full funding,” said Savoie. “All I get is the familiar Conservative refrain, ‘stay tuned.’ Community groups work hard to provide these services, and in return they receive no two-way accountability and no respect for their efforts from this government.”