[Newsbot]

Title: Tories cut funding for library Internet access
Category: Political
Posted By: snookums
Date: 2010-03-15 14:25:11
Canadian

[Public_Domain]

[bootlegga]

Well that's just brilliant. Let's create a generation of computer illiterates so they can be a drain on our economy.

I'm a city guy, but everyone needs to be online, even those in rural communities. Imagine looking for a job without an email address? Or doing research on where to go to university?

[Public_Domain]

[PolyPEI]

This makes me quite angry as well. No government that cares about people would even consider taking away people's basic right to internet. This is a tool in so many ways. Taking these sites out of the equation will drive poverty and the number of low-income families up in the long run.

How can people escape even function in such a technological age without the internet?

[bootlegga]

Well, Alberta funds the SuperNet, which I think has 300 or so rural communities with access to high speed internet, so Alberta doesn't have to worry, but what about other provinces?

I don't think it's because they like typewriters, I think they are simply desperately looking to cut stuff from the budget. They better hope that they don't keep cutting from rural folks or maybe their base will start voting for someone else.

[PolyPEI]

Well, on PEI, we can afford to do little as it is with our taxes, what with such a small tax base and whatnot. Federal jobs and programs are one of the few things that islanders know they can count on[Or used to be able to]. I know that CAP sites are very important in the communities they serve, and so this announcement drives me up the wall.

[OnTheIce]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Well, Alberta funds the SuperNet, which I think has 300 or so rural communities with access to high speed internet, so Alberta doesn't have to worry, but what about other provinces?

I don't think it's because they like typewriters, I think they are simply desperately looking to cut stuff from the budget. They better hope that they don't keep cutting from rural folks or maybe their base will start voting for someone else.

Or maybe it's the stupidly high cost of $4000-$5000/year to maintain 1 site.

You don't need a new router or computer systems every year. Damn.

[westmanguy]

Oh, boo hoo.

I live in a 'rural remote community', and 99% of us have access to internet. Every home is hooked up. We have 3 of those 'public internet' computers in our library, and everytime I'm in the library they're empty.

Access to the internet isn't an issue anymore, now that the private sector is filling the gaps.

[Bodah]

OnTheIce OnTheIce:

bootlegga bootlegga:

Well, Alberta funds the SuperNet, which I think has 300 or so rural communities with access to high speed internet, so Alberta doesn't have to worry, but what about other provinces?

I don't think it's because they like typewriters, I think they are simply desperately looking to cut stuff from the budget. They better hope that they don't keep cutting from rural folks or maybe their base will start voting for someone else.

Or maybe it's the stupidly high cost of $4000-$5000/year to maintain 1 site.

You don't need a new router or computer systems every year. Damn.

Yeah thats a problem. But in the government if your allocated a budget and have left over monies your budget gets reduced the following year, that's why "budget burning" happens in March, buying shit they dont need.

It would make more sense to give a small bonus to employees that save tax payer dollars.

[Proculation]

eeeh i have always paid for internet access. even at the college and university with had fees for technology.

I don't see the point ? We need to cut those kind of programs. Not protect them.

[Scape]

I agree. They still have access via the local library.

[Bodah]

The unemployment office should already have a free internet terminal.

Axe away.

[2Cdo]

See above. Every little bit saved is fine by me.

[bootlegga]

Bodah Bodah:

It would make more sense to give a small bonus to employees that save tax payer dollars.

That's a great idea.

It's so good that government will never implement it!