ISOC & CIRA
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How do we close Canada’s digital divide? In this episode, Joel Templeman and Dr. Wayne Kelly talk with Natalie Campbell (Internet Society), Maureen James (CIRA), and Jeff Buell (CIRA) about community-led networks, internet affordability, and digital literacy. From Indigenous spectrum rights to Ottawa’s inner-city Wi-Fi pilot, the conversation highlights why local leadership, better data, and grassroots innovation are key to building fast, affordable, and resilient internet for all.
Topics Covered:
- The impact of COVID-19 on internet policy and access
- Community networks as affordable, resilient solutions in underserved areas
- Affordability, reliability, and digital literacy as barriers beyond infrastructure
- Indigenous spectrum sovereignty and international examples (e.g., New Zealand’s Māori leadership)
- The role of parents, schools, and libraries in building digital literacy and safety
- CIRA’s grants program supporting community-led connectivity projects
- The Internet Performance Test as a crowdsourced tool for data-driven advocacy
- Gaps in government funding processes and challenges faced by small communities
- Connectivity as essential infrastructure for emergency response and community resiliency
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