OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 6, 2014) - Industry Canada
Industry Minister James Moore met with the i-CANADA Alliance Governors Council today in Ottawa. He provided an update on Digital Canada 150 (DC150), the Government's plan for Canada's digital future. Specifically, he highlighted recent progress made under DC150 since its launch earlier this year, including a new e-labelling approach for electronic devices, the government's Antenna Tower Siting Policy that took effect this summer and puts local residents and governments at the forefront of the tower placement process, and the July launch of Connecting Canadians, which will extend and enhance high-speed Internet services at 5 Mbps for an additional 280,000 Canadian households in rural and remote regions of the country.
DC150 is the Government's plan for Canadians to take advantage of the opportunities of the digital age. It encompasses 39 new initiatives, building on the government's successful measures for a more connected, digital Canada. DC150 is the result of extensive consultations with industry, businesses and individual Canadians. It is designed to be inclusive, capable of responding to the demands of fast-changing times, and able to provide Canadians with the tools, protections and skills they need to fully embrace the opportunities of a digital future.
Quick facts
- The Government will invest up to $305 million to extend access to broadband Internet at speeds of 5 megabits per second (Mbps) to 98 percent of Canadian households, mainly in rural and remote communities.
- Two wireless auctions in the AWS-3 and 2500 MHz band are planned for the first half of 2015, bringing Canadians more choice, lower prices and better service in the wireless communications marketplace.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 committed $15 million for the Institute for Quantum Computing to help commercialize leading-edge research in quantum technologies including cryptography and medical diagnostics. These are areas and technologies that could transform traditional markets, create new industries and generate a wave of leading-edge jobs.
- Once passed, Bill S-4, the Digital Privacy Act, will bring stronger privacy protection for Canadians in the event of corporate data breaches, such as the recent one at Home Depot.
- On October 3, the Government introduced new electronic labelling rules that will reduce costs for device manufacturers and enable more choices for consumers on the latest high-tech devices.
Quotes
"The i-CANADA Alliance has a vision closely aligned with one of our government's key goals: to position Canada for long-term success and prosperity in the digital era. Digital Canada 150 is our strategy for ensuring Canadians have the skills and opportunities they need for success in the global economy and our businesses have access to the digital tools they need to boost productivity, develop their companies and capture growing markets at home and abroad. I look forward to further discussions with i-CANADA in support of our shared priorities for Canada's digital future."
- Industry Minister James Moore
"We regard the digital initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Canada as vital to the country's future. We see a great fit between the government's Digital Canada 150 plan and the next level of adoption of applications as spurring the growth of innovation, employment, environmental sustainability and social development."
- Bill Hutchison, President, i-CANADA Alliance
Associated links
- Connecting Canadians website
Follow us on Twitter: @industrycanada
Contact Information:
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
media-relations@ic.gc.ca