Greens say Community Access Program Should be Maintained

OTTAWA -- Much of rural Canada still does not have access to high speed Internet at home and now they will no longer have Community Access Centres to turn to. With many services and job hunting sites being on the Internet, this will handicap the unemployed, not to mention our youth.

"The Conservative government is continuing to make cuts to programs that are low cost and bring immense benefits to small communities," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.  "While we continue to press for broadband Internet across the country, in the meantime we must support community centres that are providing this much needed Internet access."

Industry Canada has been funding the Community Access Program (CAP) for 16 years, providing small grants to community centres, libraries and hospitals to support free high speed Internet access for the public.

"I'd like to challenge Mr. Harper to work on dial-up for a while so he can see what an obstacle this will be to those affected," said May. "Of course, there are many low income people who don't own and cannot afford computers who are helped through CAP sites.  What are they to do now?"

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
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media@greenparty.ca
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www.greenparty.ca