Harper Government Delivers Computers and Digital Skills Training to Communities Nationwide

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - June 13, 2014) - Industry Canada

Hundreds of thousands of young people will be given access to digital learning opportunities that they otherwise would not have had, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Kevin Sorenson, Minister of State (Finance), and Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, celebrated the recent announcement of the renewal of the Computers for Schools Program, an initiative that repairs, refurbishes and then donates computers to schools, public libraries and Aboriginal communities to give students access to the equipment and skills they need to succeed in the digital economy. Economic Action Plan 2014 committed another $36 million over four years to the Computers for Schools Program.

Over the years, the Winnipeg region has regularly requested computers through the Computers for Schools Program. Today, Minister of State Sorenson and MP Toet announced that 53 schools have received 925 computers and 43 printers. In particular, St. Joseph the Worker School has received 20 computers. Announcements of other Manitoba recipients will be made in due course.

The Computers for Schools Program will connect Canadians and support economic opportunities, key elements under Digital Canada 150, the Government's plan for Canada's digital future. The program also promotes the reuse of surplus computers donated by federal, provincial and territorial governments and private businesses. Computers refurbished through the program are provided to schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit learning organizations and Aboriginal communities.

Quick facts

• The Economic Action Plan 2014 investment will put approximately 280,000 computers in schools across Canada and create around 1,000 training opportunities for young people in all areas of digital technology.
  
  
• Since its creation, the Computers for Schools Program has refurbished and donated over 1.3 million computers to schools and not-for-profit learning organizations across Canada.
  
  
• In partnership with Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, Computers for Schools has given over 6,000 young Canadians valuable experience in working with digital technologies.
  
  
• The work performed by information technology interns and dedicated volunteers helps extend the life of the computers by three to four years, diverting waste from landfill sites across Canada.
  
  

Quotes

"To succeed in today's economy, students need access to the Internet and the opportunities that our digital world can provide starting at a young age. This investment will give hundreds of thousands of young people access to the digital world. Our government's top priority is creating jobs and economic growth. This program is essential to prepare young Canadians for the opportunities of our digital economy."

- Kevin Sorenson, Minister of State (Finance)

"For more than 20 years, schools and students in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba have benefitted from the Computers for Schools Program. I am pleased to celebrate this valuable program's renewal with the more than 250 Manitoban youth who have gained valuable work experience and hands-on skills through the program."

- Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament (Elmwood-Transcona)

Related product

- Backgrounder: Computers for Schools

Associated links

- Industry Canada's Computers for Schools Program

- Industry Canada's Technical Work Experience Program

- Youth Employment Strategy

- Digital Canada 150

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