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Debates of the Senate
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Hon. Catherine S. Callbeck: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Canadians have just learned that this federal Conservative government is cutting back funding to our Community Access Program, CAP sites. In fact, in my own province of Prince Edward Island, all of the sites - 38 in total - will be closed by the end of March.
This cut means that people will lose jobs, but it also eliminates access to information and opportunities for many Canadians, especially in rural areas. Not all Canadians have access to the Internet in their homes. In my province, one third of Islanders do not have access to the Internet in their homes. That is well below the national average.
Islanders use these CAP sites. Therefore, why is this government cutting back and closing so many of these CAP sites which provide such a valuable service?
Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government): I thank Senator Callbeck for the question. I regret to advise the honourable senator that she is totally misinformed. The Community Access Program has not been cut. It is being fully funded and, in addition to that, Minister Clement and the government have committed $200 million over three years for rural broadband service.
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