We are saddened by the loss of one of our directors and long-time supporters.
Brian Beaton was a passionate advocate for community ownership of critical
infrastructure, particularly communications resources. In the mid-1990's, he
managed the team that built K-Net1, a unique First Nations owned and operated
ICT service provider that connects hundreds of remote communities over
thousands of miles. From its onset, K-Net was designed to serve the social and
economic development needs of its constituent communities. In 2001, Brian
served on the federal government's National Broadband Taskforce and was
instrumental in its recommendation that called for prioritizing First Nations,
Inuit, rural and remote communities in any national broadband strategy. His
unique perspectives, grounded in the community contexts he knew so well, will
be deeply missed.
More information on Brian's life journey:
Remembering Brian Beaton
-
Fiser, A., Clement, A., And Walmark, B.
The K-Net Development Process: A Model for First Nations Broadband Community Networks
[PDF]
CRACIN Working Paper No. 2006-12. Toronto: Canadian Research Alliance
for Community Innovation and Networking.
On November 28, TeleCommunities Canada
and NARALO
organized the second ICANN 63 Readout in Ottawa in 2018. The event
was attended by 15 people with another 17 participating remotely
via the ISOC Livestream channel and ICANN's Adobe room. ICANN
senior staff, government and community members provided insights
into the discussions at the recent ICANN meeting in Barcelona
(Oct.20-25, 2018). Topics included an introduction to the
multi-stakeholder system, the role of the Government Advisory
Committee at ICANN, how ICANN and other bodies can comply with
the European Data Protection Regulations and issues around the
use of geonames at the top level. The presentations were followed
by a networking session which enabled one on one discussions
and follow-up questions. For further information see the
ICANN 63 Readout Report [RTF]
and links to archived resources under
TC and ICANN.
TeleCommunities Canada
sponsored the first ICANN read-out in Canada. Such read-outs are
a way to keep end-users informed on ICANN (Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers) processes and the various issues
under discussion at its public meetings. This session was streamed
on the ISOC livestream channel. Presentations addressed the ICANN
multistakeholder model, the role of government, the role of the
country code supporting organization, and privacy protection
for domain name registrants at ICANN. For further information
and links to archived resources, please see
TC and ICANN.
Fab Labs Nation: A Fab Lab is a space for citizen
participation where everyone can access technology, learn
how to create and share their knowledge with members of the
community. The Fab Labs Nation will connect existing Fab Labs in
a concerted strategy to enhance sharing and capture what each is
doing to spark community resilience, promote business innovation,
entrepreneurship and create jobs for the future.
Digital Access Day - connecting all Canadians:
The first-annual Canadian Digital Access Day will bring together
non-governmental organizations, different levels of government,
educational institutions and the technology sector to amplify the
national conversation around Canada's digital divide. It's an
opportunity to identify what is being done now, what else can
be done and how to measure progress.
StreetMessenger.ca leverages SMS technology to
send messages to the cell phones of homeless and street-involved
youth with program information, life-saving alerts and real-time
updates on available shelter beds displayed on Google Maps. With
the live-launch of StreetMessenger, VCN is working with community
organizations in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto to register
cellphone carrying at-risk street and marginalized individuals
in their communities.
April 2017: TC at NARALO and ARIN policy discussions
TC was represented at the General Assembly of the North American
Regional At Large Organization (NARALO) held in New Orleans April
2-5. TC is one of 29 At Large Structures (ALSs) in NARALO. RALOs serve
as coordination points for public input into policy and procedures
at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
and a focal point for ICANN outreach activities. Canadian ALSs
comprised almost half of the approx. 25 attendees. This included
Canadian community networking representatives from Communautique,
National Capital Freenet, Nova Scotia Western Valley CAP sites,
and Pacific Community Networking Association as well as TC.
As part of this event, ALS representatives also participated in the
policy meeting of ARIN, the American Registry for Internet Numbers,
the organization which manages the distribution of IP address
space. Canadian participants were instrumental in persuading the
meeting to reconsider dropping a policy which granted special status
to community networks.
For more info on how the role of At Large Organizations in ICANN
please see:
Roles and Responsibilities of RALOs.
January 2016: pre-budget consultation: Digital Strategy
February 2016: Basic Telecommunications Services
TC comment on CRTC Notice 2015-134: Review of Basic Telecommunications Services
This comment [PDF] urges the Commission to:
-
recognize broadband connectivity as basic service,
-
revise the minimum speeds for uploading and downloading to at least match
the current U.S. goals,
-
to support community-based broadband initiatives
-
find new ways of funding broadband as public infrastructure.
October 2013 - In Memoriam
May 2013 - Victoria Free-net moves to new residence
As part of Victoria Free-Net's "transition" to life beyond CAP,
we've moved from our 18 year home at Commerce Circle to a more
compact, far less costly, location at the Vancouver Island Technology
Park. The team of volunteers has literally moved heaven and hell
over the last several months to accomplish this. Thursday, May 30th,
was the last act, shutting down and moving the server room.
This Facebook URL should let anyone see the flavour of the turning point:
Photos of VTN take-down
TC's communications with members and board members and advisors flow
through Victoria Free-Net.
February 2011 - Canada's Community Access Program (CAP)
September 2010 - CRTC intervention
TC supports CACTUS at CRTC
Telecommunities Canada (www.tc.ca)
intervention re: Broadcasting notice of consultation CRTC 210-623
-- Call for comments on contributions by broadcasting distribution
undertakings to local expression. TC supports the renewed proposal by
the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations
(CACTUS) to use the 0.5% of cable gross revenues that would become
available under the CRTC's proposal in 2010-623 for the establishment
of a Community-Access Media Fund to which independent non-profit
community-run access channels could apply.
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January 2010 - National Strategy for Digital Inclusion
Updated January 19, 2010
October 2009 - The Future of the Internet
Open Internet Town Halls make their way to the east coast!
After hosting Open Internet Town Hall events in Vancouver, Ottawa and
Toronto, Telecommunities Canada (www.tc.ca) and SaveOurNet.ca
are pleased to announce yet another exciting event, this time in
Halifax.
On October 26th, the Dalhousie Student Union and along with the
Chebucto Community Network
(www.chebucto.ns.ca) will
host a town hall titled "Who is Shaping your Digital
Future?" Keynote speaker will be Laura Murray, Queen's
University Professor and digital copyright expert. This will be
followed by a panel of local experts who will explore topics such as
net neutrality and the digital divide.
The event goes from 7:00p.m. to 9:30 pm, Monday, October 26th at the
McInnes Room of the Dalhousie University Student Union
Building. For more information please see:
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/townhall/ and
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/news/
and (broken link)
http://thearcadianrecorder.blogspot.com/2009/10/who-is-shaping-your-digital-future.html
October 2009 - Report from Vancouver ICT Summit
A community discussion
At the 2009 ICT Summit, TeleCommunities Canada
sponsored a community discussion on the need for
a national strategy on the uses of the Internet for socio-economic
development. The statement that emerged from this discussion suggests
that on-line assets are among the social indicators that determine our
health as a nation. It calls for a strategy guided by a national
multi-stakeholder council - a cohesive single voice that reflects the
diversity of our society:
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June 10 2009 - The Future of the Internet
Access, Openness and Inclusion - A Town Hall Discussion (Ottawa)
ACCESS, OPENNESS AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA are essential to a robust
democracy and a healthy economy. The Internet is a basic component of our
society and essential to every aspect of our lives. Strengthening the
infrastructure of Canada's Internet is therefore crucial to the prosperity
of citizens socially, economically, and politically, and the country as the
whole.
Ottawa's open Internet Town Hall took place at the Ottawa
Public Library, June 10, 7-9 pm.
Introduction by Steve Anderson - co-founder,
http://SaveOurNet.ca/
with speakers:
Michael Geist - Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law,
Charlie Angus - MP Timmins James Bay, and
Rocky Gaudrault - CEO,
Teksavvy Solutions Inc.
Presented by: Campaign for Democratic Media,
Telecommunities Canada,
Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic,
SaveOurNet.ca,
InternetForEveryone.ca.
This event was made possible through the generous support of the
National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)
Community Networking Advocacy
February 2009 - TC represents NARALO for ICANN
-
Gareth Shearman, Telecommunities Canada president, has been
appointed as one of two individuals to represent the North American
Regional At Large Organisation (NARALO)
on the At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC)
(www.atlarge.icann.org).
ALAC is an advisory committee to the board of the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
See also: TC and ICANN.
January 2009 - Social and Economic Development
- January 25, 2009 -
Communications for Social and Economic Development -- A National
Inclusion Strategy for Broadband Connectivity and Effective Public Use.
Proposal to the 2009 Alternative Federal Budget Process (Canadian Centre
for Policy Alternatives).
Above all, this program must be community-driven - with
communities defining their requirements and the strategy
needed to support them. A process of on-going and wide-ranging
consultations with local stakeholders will ensure that all
regions, rural, remote and urban, are connected and receive
the support needed to make effective use of broadband
connectivity.
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January 2009 - Infrastructure on [the] line
- January 22, 2009 -
Infrastructure on [the] line.
Telecommunities Canada letter to the Globe and Mail.
Like roads, bridges and sewers, broadband should be public
infrastructure allowing products, services and applications
to evolve in the marketplace of innovation and ideas.
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Talking about social change in a digital age
In our digital age, what kind of society do we want? Although still
rare, participatory forums
to address this question are beginning to
occur at the community-level. In the hope of seeding more of them, we
intend to use these web pages to share some examples of
community-based dialogue on this important public policy issue.
December 2008 - Broadband as infrastructure
- December 2008 -
Letter to Industry Minister Tony Clement re: the need to implement a
national strategy for urban, rural and remote broadband infrastructure
installation and/or upgrading and community support programs that
support effective use.
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October 2008 - Internet for Everyone
- October 2008 -
Internet for Everyone:
Public interest organizations, industry groups and citizens are joining forces to see access to an open Internet is a basic right for all Canadians.
March 2008 - National Strategy for Digital Inclusion
June 28, 2007 - ICANN North America RALO signing
October 2006 - Alternative Telecommunications Policy Forum
TC members played a major role in the Alternative Telecommunications
Policy Forum organized by the Canadian Research Alliance for
Community Innovation and Networking (CRACIN). CRACIN
co-investigator
Marita Moll was one of the forum organizers. TC directors were
active participants in panels and workshop sessions.
For more information see (broken link)
http://www3.fis.utoronto.ca/research/iprp/cracin/alttelecompolicyforum.ca/
Article on Forum issues published in Straight Goods (reproduced here
with permission of the authors):
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