Thanks to the federal-provincial Framework for Cooperation for the Community Access Program (CAP), communities in Prince Edward Island will benefit from improved access to the Information Highway through the opening of eight new Community Access Program sites. They will be located in the communities of Hunter River, Kinkora, South Rustico, Murray River/Murray Harbour, Georgetown, Lennox Island, St. Teresa and St. Peters Bay.
"The Government of Canada wants to make the Information Highway accessible to all Canadians by the year 2000," noted Labour Minister Lawrence MacAulay, speaking on behalf of Industry Minister Manley. "These eight new sites will bring us closer to our joint goal of establishing 45 Community Access Program Centres on Prince Edward Island by the end of the 1998-99 fiscal year."
"Islanders of all ages are showing an incredible level of interest in the opportunities that exist on the Information Highway," said the Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam, PEI's Minister of Fisheries and Environment, and the Minister Responsible for the Community Access Program on PEI . "Today's announcement takes us a step closer to our goal of providing our citizens with improved access to emerging technologies, no matter where they live in the province. It is partnership initiatives like this one that will advance the province's position as a leader in the growing knowledge-based economy."
"Funding is available for Community Access Program sites under the Framework for Cooperation with the province committing $540,000 over the next year. Industry Canada will provide up to $270,000," noted Minister MacAdam.
There are currently 18 CAP sites in communities across Prince Edward Island. These eight new sites will bring the total to 26, just over the halfway mark to the joint goal of 45 sites.
Under the Community Access Program, the federal government promotes the economic and social development of rural and remote communities by helping them obtain affordable access to the Information Highway. The program's goal is to link up to 5,000 rural and remote communities to the Information Highway by the 2000-2001 fiscal year. CAP is a key component of the Canadian Strategy for the Information Highway, which helps Canada create jobs, growth and other benefits associated with the development of information technology. In addition, CAP is integral to the federal Youth Employment Strategy, as CAP sites help develop job opportunities for young Canadians aged 15 to 30.
For more information, please contact: Grant Sweet, PEI Community Access Program Coordinator, (902) 368-6435, gsweet.cap@pei.sympatico.ca; or Community Access Program, Industry Canada, 1 (800) 268-6608, comaccess@ic.gc.ca, http://cap.unb.ca