Overcoming Digital Divides (2021)

By:

SFU Public Square First Nations Technology Council TELUS Brookfield Institute Ryerson Leadership Lab

Posted on:

August 21, 2021

Overview

This series highlights digital divides across Canada, in hopes that by recognizing the interrelated issues of internet access, adoption and quality, a clearer path toward meaningful digital inclusion and equity can better shape our technology governance and digital policies.

The Overcoming Digital Divides workshop series engaged people living in Canada, industry, academia and policymakers to advance a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the conditions that shape digital inequities in Canada. Through expert panel discussions and thoughtful participatory dialogue, the series generated and drove toward innovative policy solutions to greater digital inclusion across Canada. The series built on intersectional connections across themes while identifying new issues and impacted communities.

The series captured innovative policy solutions, engage public discourse, and raise awareness about the common urgency to expand internet access and digital services. We hope that by bringing to the forefront the intersectional nature of Canada’s digital divide, we can help amplify the disparate, but often ignored voices of underserved groups. Moreover, directly engaging people in Canada will provide policymakers and advocates with first-hand access to Canadians’ digital experience. Bridging the gap between people living in Canada and decision-makers will be invaluable to producing digital inclusion policies that are informed by evidence and lived experience.

The series was presented in six parts, each tackling a specific theme with unique concern. Backgrounders for each theme are outlined in the series framing paper/report, outlining the specific concerns for each theme/community.

Webinar recordings are embedded below.

Indigenous, Rural and Remote Communities