On September 8, 2020, we brought together four speakers to explore bridging the digital divide.

Canada’s digital divide is widening the social divide. Exacerbated by the pandemic, reliable high-speed internet is ever more required to access services and programs, as well as to do work and learn. But who’s gaining access and who’s being left behind?

What are the systemic barriers to digital access and how might we bridge the digital divide?

We dove into key findings of a recent research report on this question conducted by Canada Internet Registry Authority (CIRA), and explored how funders play a role in bridging the growing digital divide.

Speakers: 

Maureen James, CIRA

Maureen James manages the Community Investment Program at the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), which funds innovative community internet projects to build a resilient, trusted and secure internet for all Canadians. Her background is in fundraising, grantmaking and strategy development with non-profits internationally and here in Canada.

Denise Williams, First Nations Technology Council  

Denise seeks to not only ensure Indigenous peoples are competitive in BC’s technology and innovation sector, but leading and growing local digital economies. She also proudly serves as the President of the Urban Native Youth Association, advisor on innovation to the Governor General of Canada, Status of Women Canada’s Indigenous Women’s Circle, on the board of the First Mile Connectivity Consortium, Vancouver Economic Commission and on the Simon Fraser University Board of Governors as Alumni-in-Order.

Judy Duncan, ACORN Canada

Judy Duncan founded ACORN Canada over 15 years ago in August 2004. ACORN has now grown to over 140,000 members, 20 chapters and seven offices across the country. ACORN is a multi issue community based organization working on issues from tenant rights to Internet for All.

Chancellar Williams, Ford Foundation

Chancellar Williams is a program officer with the foundation’s US program in Technology and Society, helping to shape and implement the team’s efforts to ensure that digital technologies are designed and governed in ways that advance equity and justice. He manages a portfolio of grants and other activities to advance effective and equitable public interest technology policies, regulations, and social norms, as well as to deepen public understanding of the impact of digital communications technologies on society.

Missed the webinar? Watch it here:

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