Minister Moore Speaks About Digital Canada 150: A Plan for Canada's Digital Future

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - April 7, 2014) - Industry Canada

Industry Minister James Moore spoke today at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and shared details of the Government of Canada's new Digital Canada 150 (DC150). This ambitious plan is designed to ensure Canadians and Canadian businesses are able to take full advantage of the opportunities of the digital age.

DC150 is based on five pillars: Connecting Canadians, Protecting Canadians, Economic Opportunities, Digital Government and Canadian Content. These pillars form the basis of the Government's vision for a more connected Canada that can fully benefit from the digital economy.

Addressing an audience of local business leaders, the Minister provided more details of DC150, including the measures designed to assist Canadian businesses.

As part of the DC150 vision:

• Over 98 percent of all Canadians will have access to high-speed Internet at 5 megabits per second-a rate that enables e-commerce, high-resolution video, employment opportunities and distance education.

• Canadians will have confidence their online transactions are secure, their privacy is protected, and their families are safeguarded against cyberbullying and other online threats.

• Significant new investments will be made to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt digital technologies and to provide digital companies with access to venture capital.

• Canada will be a leader in the use of digital technologies and open data, making it even easier for Canadians to access government services online.

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will provide $305 million to extend and enhance high-speed Internet services to a target speed of 5 megabits per second for 280,000 Canadian households in rural and remote areas.
• Canada's world-leading anti-spam law comes into force July 1, 2014, to protect Canadians from malicious online attacks.
• Through the Business Development Bank of Canada, the government will invest $300 million in venture capital for digital companies and $200 million to support small and medium-sized businesses with digital technology adoption.
• An additional $40 million will be invested to support up to 3,000 internships in high-demand fields and $15 million annually for internships with small and medium-sized businesses.
• Federal funding for the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program will increase to $100 million to help digital entrepreneurs take the next step in developing their businesses.
• The Government committed $20 million over two years to the Business Innovation Access Program, which supports innovative research and development that translates into products benefiting Canadians by connecting small and medium-sized enterprises with universities, colleges and other research institutions.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to ensuring Canadians and Canadian businesses have the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in an interconnected global economy. Digital Canada 150 will make our country a leader in adopting digital technologies to boost innovation while also supporting Canadian companies of all sizes in using digital tools to increase productivity, develop their businesses and capture growing markets at home and abroad."

- James Moore, Industry Minister

"Canada's digital landscape is an evolving policy area with some very unique issues facing businesses and individuals. Having Minister Moore here today to discuss how the federal government is addressing these challenges through its new digital strategy is a real privilege."

- Jack Mintz, Director and Palmer Chair in Public Policy, The School of Public Policy

Associated links

• Digital Canada 150

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