Free internet program facing uncertain future
Posted Mar 26, 2012 05:08:44 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The program that administers more than 300 free internet sites across the province may be in jeopardy of losing its funding in the upcoming federal budget.
The chair of the Nova Scotia Community Access Program says they’ve had no clear indication from Ottawa that funding will continue past March 31.
“It’s become very, very frustrating,” chair Eric Stackhouse tells News 95.7. “We’ve fought this decision many times before. We’ve been able to pull it out of the fire at the last minute, mostly because everyone who uses CAP sites has been so vocal about needing it.”
CAP operates 309 free internet sites in Nova Scotia – more than 200 of those in schools and libraries as well as wireless “hotspots.”
The previous federal budget allocated $2 million dollars for the national program and the Nova Scotia government chipped in $340,000.
Stackhouse says he’s asked federal officials about funding for the next year several times, and hasn’t received an answer.
“Normally by now we’ve heard either funding will continue, or we’ve had some signal, but we’re not hearing anything,” said Stackhouse. “This government is going to be making cutbacks, so we’re pretty sure they’re certainly looking at the CAP program.”
CAP estimates it costs the average Nova Scotian $1,200 to have Internet access in their home.
It also estimates more than half of residents don’t have Internet at home either due to cost or because the service is not available in their area.
