TAG’s future uncertain after Ministry cancels program

Late evening on April 5^th Community Access Program (CAP) sites across Canada received a letter from Industry Canada Director General Lisa Setlakwe that the Program ‘has achieved its objective’ and funding has been terminated, effective immediately.   Currently, TAG administers 60 CAP sites with the region of Counties of Haliburton and Simcoe the District of Muskoka and the Township of McMurrich Monteith as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes. 

The letter goes on to say the Federal Government is committed to ‘prioritizing expenditures’.  It does, however, suggest that youth employment money may be available for public internet access sites that continue to exist after the cuts.  How a CAP site can hire and supervise youth when it has no funding to operate is not explained in the letter.

The Technology Alliance Group (TAG) for Kawartha Lakes organization is looking at what, if any, options it may have to enable it to continue to serve the Kawartha Lakes community.  The TAG site in Lindsay continues to be busy with people using computers, people requesting training and people bringing electronic waste to be responsibility recycled.  “We are dismayed to learn of this decision.  We disagree that the work is completed; the demand for our service continues to increase, “says Michael Semple, TAG Board Chair. “CAP is not a social program, but an economic one – with very real economic benefits and value to this community,” Mr. Semple added.

TAG assists the general public in acquiring computer literacy/Internet proficiency and facilitates community economic development. They service people with disabilities, people facing literacy challenges, people trying to reintegrate into the job market, as well as people who live in distant and/or poorly connected communities. Computer training is provided to small business owners and people needing to upgrade computers skills for employment.  Some users are unable to afford a computer or the monthly connectivity charges, for high speed Internet. In addition TAG recycles and refurbishes computers, donating the refurbished computers to families in need and other non-profit organizations.  Interns and high school co-op students have been provided with a great work experience and skills development.  There are 944 CAP sites in Ontario that will be affected by this government decision.

For more information contact:

Lynda Rickard, Executive Director

Technology Alliance Group for Kawartha Lakes

(705) 878-9261

The 5^th annual E-waste Unplugged event was a pronounced success! We have the community to thank for their donations as well as the generosity of the volunteers who gave of their time during the event. There was an overwhelming response from our request for volunteers from Sir Sandford Fleming College, LCVI, and IE Weldon. Thank you to the faculty who helped Technology Alliance Group to get the word out to the students.

The turnout of volunteers this year was fantastic! Despite the inclement weather, the volunteers arrived with enthusiasm and were eager to get to work helping out.

Sponsors for this event were essential to providing a foundation from which this event could be launched. We are grateful for their support.

We also owe a huge thank you to the community members who brought their electronic waste in to us on that day for responsible recycling. Without their donations, these events wouldn’t be possible.

TAG looks forward hosting the E-Waste Unplugged next year. With the generosity of community members and local businesses we anticipate the continued success and growth of this event.

Please contact TAG at (705) 878-9261 or drop in; we are located at 50 Mary Street West to find out how you can be involved.

Thank you!