In the city’s first broadband plan, access to the internet and addressing the digital divide were key issues to overcome in order to become successful in the new global economy.  Programs such as Smart Capital and National Capital FreeNet helped to establish Ottawa as the most connected city in the world.  Not only was technology and access to the technology provided to Ottawa residents, training was also available for those who needed help to develop a level of comfort with the new technology.  Smart Capital was funded by the federal and provincial governments to push forward Ottawa’s broadband connectivity plan. A variety of programs provided the framework for Smart Capital including: Digital Ottawa, Altogether Ottawa, FreeNet, E-Government, Smart Libraries, E-College, E-Democracy and Smart Sites. Today, a number of those programs no longer exist due to the fact that their mission was completed but some continue to serve the community to this day. Their range of services has evolved and changed to reflect the current needs and interests of the local community. 

In addition to technology-based inclusion, Ottawa is a firm believer in providing today’s students and our future leaders with the proper tools they need in order to learn effectively while in school. For that reason, we support learning and skill development for students at all levels through partnerships with the community, government and businesses to develop the talent Ottawa needs to support a globally competitive knowledge-based sector. Some of the community’s most valuable programs in this regard include OttawaReads – a literacy program, JUMP Math – numeracy program, Winning Innovations in Schools (WINS) – joint projects with local cleantech and life science companies for high school students, the High School Technology Program – hands on tech and programming experiences and the School Breakfast Program which provides a nutritious breakfast to 11,000 children in 145 schools each day.   

Did you know? The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) provides services free of charge to increase digital inclusion and the everyday use of technology. The Library works with many local, provincial and national partners to extend and enrich service. Free Internet access has been available at the Ottawa Public Library since 1996 and free high-speed Internet access has been available at all 33 branches of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) since 2001.  High-speed wireless Internet access was first piloted at the Ottawa Public Library in 2007 and was installed in every branch of the OPL in 2008.  The Ottawa Public Library has 373 public access workstation that provide high speed internet access and a variety of software applications. Wheelchair-accessible computer workstations are available at all wheelchair accessible libraries. All courses at the Ottawa Public Library are offered free of charge. In 2008, 947,499 people used a public Internet access workstation at the OPL. In 2008, the Ottawa Public Library held 376 computer training sessions aimed at teaching older adults and newcomers how to use a personal computer, 1,512 people attended these sessions.

OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre Satellite Kiosks - As entrepreneurial activity spread across the vast Ottawa region it became evident that the one stop shopping approach taken by OCRI’s Entrepreneurship Centre was not adequate for the growing demand for its services. The concept of satellite offices was explored and pilot tested in Orleans with great success. Subsequently, two additional satellite kiosks in Kanata and Barrhaven have been opened.  The impact on the community has been significant while helping minimize costs for staff, travel and overhead and maximizing the use of digital technology to provide easy access services and business advice to constituents.  In 2009 alone, over 1000 people attended networking events hosted at the kiosk centres.

Ottawa Carleton District School Board – Special Education Allocation of laptops to students with Learning Difficulties. Each year, hundreds of laptops are loaned out to students with special needs through this ministry led initiative.  Hundreds of students, teachers and families benefit from this digital inclusion initiative. In the last five months, technical training has been provided to over 600 teachers, on a wide variety of subjects:  wikis, Google Apps, Photoshop Elements, Gizmos, ComicLife, Podcasting, PhotoStory. This year, the school board is introducing a new Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) training for elementary teachers. 

These are just a few of the great examples in Ottawa of programs and initiatives that really do make a difference. By bridging the gap between education and employment and providing access to technology Ottawa is definitely an intelligent city and Canada’s creative economy capital!

More grandstanding to come….

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Thanks to the great people at the City who knew where to get the most current and relevant information re: connectivity and city initiatives and all the other companies in town who are charging ahead with innovative partnerships and programs that help create skilled talent and strive to see them employed in knowledge-based jobs we were able to put together a really impressive proposal.

So, now we’re Top7, awaiting the arrival of representatives from the selection committee for a two day tour of our great city before the final announcement of the Intelligent Community of the Year in New York City in May. 

Just in case you don’t know how many super projects are on the go here’s a rundown of the projects we chose to highlight – there were many more that didn’t make the cut (we were limited to 25 pages)… Ottawa’s Rural Broadband Project, Abbott Point of Care’s Microelectronics Apprenticeship Program, Algonquin’s Game Development Program, Carleton’s VSIM lab, Digital Inclusion programs at the Ottawa Public Libraries, OCRI’s Entrepreneurship Centre satellite kiosks,  Special Education Allocation of laptops to students with Learning Difficulties at Ottawa Carleton District School Board, Lead to Win, City of Ottawa’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre, BizPal, Algonquin’s Virtual College, TalentBridge, High School Technology Program, Passport to Prosperity, Focus on IT (FIT), Wesley Clover’s Affiliate Program and Winning Innovative Networks for Schools (WINS). Like ICF said in their summary, there are almost too many programs in place to list them all!   If your favourite project wasn’t on the list – let me know so we can consider it for the next time.

Regardless of the outcome of the May announcement we should all be really proud! 

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