Public Internet Access Sites
CAP sites and CAP Networks: Connecting Communities

From coast to coast to coast, rural communities in Canada are reconnecting through the Community Access Program (CAP).

What is CAP?

The Community Access Program (CAP) is a Government of Canada initiative, administered by Industry Canada, that aims to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively. With the combined efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial governments, community groups, social agencies, libraries, schools, volunteer groups and the business community, CAP helps Canadians, wherever they live, take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new global knowledge-based economy. Under CAP, public locations like schools, libraries and community centres act as “on-ramps” to the Information Highway, and provide computer support and training.

CAP is the key component of the Government of Canadaís Connecting Canadians initiative, whose goal is to make Canada the most connected nation in the world.

What is a Community Resource/CAP Network?

A CAP Network consists of a grouping of CAP Sites (urban and/or rural) that share a common interest and purpose, and that are committed to work together in pursuit of common objectives with other partners. These may be Library Boards, School Boards, Boards of Trade, Economic Development Boards, Municipalities, Community Free Nets, HRDC, Industry Canada and other federal and provincial departments and agencies.

By combining strengths, assets and resources from all their partners and participants, Community Resource Networks can address local and regional issues and concerns that they must deal with in Canadaís new knowledge-based economy. These collaborative efforts are a cost-effective way to help a community access the tools and gain the skills it needs.

How Does a Community Initiate a Network?

There are as many different ways to create a community network as there are communities. The number of CAP sites in each network varies. And while each creates its own unique set-up, successful models are emerging from these network-building experiences that can provide us with valuable lessons.

The first lesson is that creating a network and combining resources can provide a higher level and quality of access to information technology tools (computers, the Internet etc.) than any one CAP site could do on its own. And thereís a stronger likelihood that long-term sustainability of community access will be ensured.

Are All CAP Networks Organized in the Same Way?

A CAP Network can have geographic basis, for example, defined by the borders of county, city, a school board jurisdiction, a tourist or economic development region or a combination of these. Or it can be defined by a shared interest or purpose, like those of Aboriginal Canadians or the Acadian community.

Any of the participating parties can take the lead sponsorship or coordinating role, and that may change over time depending on each communityís own circumstances. The bottom line is no one size fits all communities. The most successful networks however, are based on partnerships and share a good many of these characteristics and success factors:

Network Success Factors

The Partners

• champion a common vision for community economic and social development
• play existing and integral roles in the community
• respect each otherís roles and mandates
• seek to achieve goals through the partnership, where this makes sense
• bring their own unique resources to the partnership
• share resources of the partnership in pursuit of cost-efficiency

The Partnerships

• must be stable, yet dynamic
• play an enabling rather than a controlling role
• make effective use of existing community infrastructures
• make good use of volunteers
• are funded from multiple sources
• support innovation and entrepreneurship
• place high value on leadership and its development

Read about how communities are re-connecting through their CAP sites! Success stories abound, and surely there will be many more to come. To catch up on whatís going on at CAP sites across the country, be sure to read the “CAP Horizon.”