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The Community Access Program (CAP) is an Industry Canada initiative developed to help provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills to use it effectively. Under CAP, public sites such as schools, libraries and community centres act as access points to the Information Highway and provide support to Islanders on how to make the best use of the Internet.

The Province of Prince Edward Island has the distinction of being the first to have its CAP Program evolve to the next level of development. Hired human resources for advanced service delivery, mandated to generate revenues to ensure sites are maintained and potentially self sustaining are classified as Community Network Centres. Internet Support Centres which are typically located within community sites such as a school, library, or community centres, offer computer and Internet access, as well as other services, such as summer camps for kids, computer training sessions and distance education. Infrastructure at these sites usually consists of one to ten PC’s with an average of 4 PC’s per location. Pentium 133 processors with approximately 16-32 megabytes of RAM are regularly used. A vast majority of these sites also have access to standard equipment such as printers and scanners. Internet connectivity varies from site to site, as some sites located in schools use T-1 lines or school networks. Most sites, however, use standard phone lines with 56K modems for their Internet access. There are twenty five located across the Province.

Sixteen Community Network Centres have recently been established in CAP sites across the Province. These centres will develop a network in order to improve their service delivery to Island families. Networks will consist of 2 or more CAP sites located in the same region of the province. These centres share a hired resource to conduct day to day operations. CNC sites offer computer and Internet access, faxing, scanning and photocopying services. They are primary mandated to perform program delivery services, training, distance education, cyber camps for children and some software development.
In terms of infrastructure, CNC sites tend to have more high-end equipment to ensure they may achieve their objectives. These sites feature teaching labs with at least 15 PC’s with Pentium II processors and an average of 64 megabytes of RAM. They all have more basic equipment (printers, scanners, etc), Internet access through high-speed connections, T-1 lines, or use of a network. In addition, these sites have the staff and expertise to use more advanced equipment (i.e. video-conferencing) and technology (i.e. web site hosting & administration).

The following are examples of some of the activities that involve the CNC sites:

Computer training - Internet and basic software training for all ages.

Specialized computer training - Programs are offered to individuals and businesses as required relating to such topics as E-Business.

Web Page design - All sites have been involved in the design and hosting of web pages with varied clients.

Between Generations - Focuses on bringing youth together with other generations to discuss historically significant events and create Web sites based on these events.

Youth of the Digital Age - Web page development aimed at junior and senior high school students.

Provincial CAP Website - the existing PEI Provincial CAP Website, peicaps.org, is undergoing a redesign including database development that will assist Technology PEI in administering the Community Access Program on the Island.

Quick Clics- a train the trainer program, an assistive tool for all CAP Coordinators to provide training for those in need.

Video Conferencing Capabilities- Our 4 IT Centres are video conference capable. These centres are located in each region of the Province. Charlottetown, Kensington, O’Leary, Cardigan.

Sustainability issues will figure prominently as the future of CAP in Prince Edward Island is determined. New Programs and a proposed Community Network of all Island CAP sites will be key in ensuring that the Community Access Program continues to connect and benefit Islanders, and prepare them to utilize the federal government’s 2004 goal for government services delivery online.

In conclusion, CAP sites in Prince Edward Island are very active and are constantly endeavoring to increase their activity and participation in any project that is considered beneficial to it or its community. Internet usage is growing and the number of people having more computer knowledge is definitely increasing as a result of the community having more exposure to these activities via CAP sites. It can be expected that this phenomena will only continue because Prince Edward Island can ascertain that all of its schools and libraries are connected to the Internet and to each other.
The fact that no Islander is more than 12 minutes away from access to the Internet via a CAP site should have a direct bearing on the future development of Information Technology and anyone interested in participating in this sector on Prince Edward Island