This digital future plan includes 39 new initiatives to build a more connected information environment. Its 5 key principles are: connecting Canadians, protecting Canadians, economic opportunities, digital government, and Canadian content.
Through this plan, the Canadian government will ensure that over 98% of citizens have access to high-speed internet services, thereby stimulating the development of e-commerce, high-definition video, and distance education. The government will allocate 305 million Canadian dollars to expand and enhance high-speed internet services, enabling 280,000 households in rural and remote areas to reach internet speeds of 5 megabytes per second. The "Digital Canada 150" plan will provide a total of 36 million Canadian dollars in funding to repair, refurbish, and donate computers, and provide them to public libraries, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities, giving students the opportunity to access the equipment necessary to participate in the digital world. Under this plan, roaming charges across Canada will be capped, and wireless carriers that violate the regulations will be penalized.
The plan focuses on increasing the confidence of Canadian citizens in the security of online transactions, privacy protection, and even staying away from cyberbullying and other online threats. The plan will also ensure the security of communication networks and equipment, protecting the privacy of families, businesses, and the government. The "Anti-Spam Legislation" will be implemented starting July 1, 2014, to protect the public from malicious cyberattacks.
The government will provide 300 million Canadian dollars in venture capital to digital enterprises through the Business Development Bank of Canada, and will also invest 200 million Canadian dollars to support small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting digital technologies.
The plan focuses on making Canada a leader in digital technology and open data, ensuring that Canadians have more convenient access to government online services. New initiatives will also promote the creation of online content, allowing the public to fully understand and care about national affairs.
