The digital divide is a perennial issue of access in Canada, with the discrepancy between urban/rural and north/south access capturing the public’s attention over the past few years. Although it is often considered an issue of access for rural or remote communities, the reality is much more complex with considerations of digital equity, access, and education impacted by national, provincial/territorial, and municipal policies.

Nonprofits faced immense challenges in providing services during Covid-19 public health restrictions, adopting digital delivery methods that highlighted the inequity of access to technology in their communities.

Digital divides are not just an issue of access but reflect the challenges of an equitable digital transformation in every part of civil society from frontline service providers to communities and everything in between.

• How can policy makers at the municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal level address persistent digital divides and growing barriers to access and equity?
• Is there a need for renewed and specific investment in reducing the digital divide in all regions?

• What steps are being taken by policy makers to address this persistent issue and what are the opportunities for advocacy available to organizations and individuals?

Join Imran Mohiuddin, & Dr. Katharina Koch as they discuss these and other questions on digital divides at the national, regional, and local level exploring infrastructure, policy, and social implications of access.

Imran Mohiuddin is a Policy Advisor for Cybera, Alberta’s not-for-profit organization responsible for driving economic growth through the use of digital technology. Imran advocates for a connected, secure and equitable digital future for every Albertan.

Dr. Katharina Koch is a postdoctoral associate in the Canadian Northern Corridor Program in the Energy and Environment division at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. In her current role, she is working on a variety of research themes connected to the Northern Corridor, including governance, security, nation-building as well as broadband infrastructure and the digital divide in the Canadian North and Arctic.

We open this online webinar to all community practitioners in the nonprofit, public & private sectors including digital activists, tech entrepreneurs, academics, students and others interested in the potential – and perils – of using social impact technology to tackle wicked challenges in our local communities. No prior tech knowledge required!

Bring your questions, comments, and curiosity. We can’t wait to see you!

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The Digital Commons is a community-based webcast initiative developed through the Centre for Social Impact Technology, meant to reach the community on intersectional issues that matter to them.

The new city-wide Centre for Social Impact Technology nurtures dialogue, learning, and action where social innovation and digital technology innovation meet.