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NOTICE

The Aboriginal Canada Portal closed February 12, 2013. The Digital Aboriginals of True North Turtle Island have intervened. Please visit this web page for more information.

Appendix C - Federal Connectivity Initiatives

Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program (BRAND)

Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program provides funding through a competitive process to bring publicly available broadband access to Canadian communities, with priority given to First Nations, northern, remote and rural communities which are currently un-served by Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable modem service. The broadband initiative is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring broadband access for all Canadian communities by 2005.

Selections will be made through a two-step process. First, applicants submit proposals for funding to support the development of a business plan. Successful applicants will be eligible to receive up to $30,000 for this purpose. Additional funds will be available on a competitive basis to eligible applicants to implement their business plans. The level of contribution will be subject to the quality of the submissions and the availability of funds.

For more information, please contact:

Information Distribution Centre
Communications and Marketing Branch
Industry Canada
Room 268D, West Tower
235 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H5
Tel.: (613) 947-7466
Fax: (613) 954-6436
E-mail: publications@ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://broadband.gc.ca

Community Access Program (CAP)

Industry Canada's Community Access Program (CAP) gives to the residents of rural, remote, and urban communities across Canada affordable access to the Internet. This provides Canadians with a new way to communicate, learn, and do business in today's knowledge-based economy. The Community Access Program is pursuing the following objectives:

To promote public awareness of the benefits and opportunities of using information technology and services;
To help citizens become better informed through the exchange of ideas and information;
To provide training for individuals in the use of information technologies;
To support on-line delivery of government programs and services;
To facilitate business activities such as electronic commerce; and
To conduct on-line learning and researching.

The Community Access Program is a partnership between governments, the private sector, and community organizations designed to help accelerate public access to the Internet all across the country. At present, 8,800 affordable Internet access sites have been established or approved. The program has a significant impact at the grassroots level and has become an important economic and social development tool in communities. Momentum has been building over the years, producing a national network of CAP communities/champions resulting in local Web sites, innovations and economic growth. In terms of overall impact, CAP has connected Canadians to the Internet and to each other from coast to coast.

To obtain more information, please contact CAP directly at:
Community Access Program
Industry Canada
Tel: 1-800-575-9200
TTY: 1-800-465-7735
Fax: (613) 952-8711
E-mail: comaccess@ic.gc.ca
Internet: http://cap.ic.gc.ca

First Nations SchoolNet

First Nations SchoolNet (FNS) gives First Nations communities the opportunity to use exciting new technologies by providing schools with an affordable, high-speed connection to the Internet via DirecPC(tm) satellite terminals. To date, 80 percent of eligible schools are participating. Helping Canadians become connected to the Internet is part of Connecting Canadians, the Government of Canada's vision and plan to make Canada the most connected country in the world. FNS is part of the broader SchoolNet initiative of Industry Canada's Information Highway Applications Branch. The work is being led by Industry Canada in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, Canadian telecommunications companies through the former Stentor Alliance, and First Nations schools and communities.

The installation and use of FNS equipment is also supported by a network of help desks located in First Nations organizations or Aboriginal businesses across the country. All eligible schools (i.e., schools under federal jurisdiction) receive information packages on FNS. They can then contact SchoolNet to make arrangements. Equipment is sent to the schools and contact is made with the closest help desk to help support installation. Funding is also put in place to support Internet access and long distance expenses (where applicable).

For more information, please contact:
Telephone: 1-800-575-9200
TTY: 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.schoolnet.ca/aboriginal