A TELECOMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY FOR ONTARIO What is the Telecommunications Strategy for Ontario? The Telecommunications Strategy for Ontario is a long-term vision and action plan for telecommunications in the province over the next decade. It deals with telecommunications both as a critical infrastructure for economic growth and social and cultural activity and as a key sector of the economy. The strategy is a blueprint for action not only by government but by all stakeholders in telecommunications. How was the strategy prepared? The Telecommunications Strategy responds to the goals, priorities and recommendations contained in the August 1992 report of the Advisory Committee on a Telecommunications Strategy for the Province of Ontario, entitled Telecommunications: Enabling Ontario's Future. The advisory committee was created by the former Minister of Culture and Communications to gain broadly based advice on telecommunications-related issues and opportunities facing Ontario's businesses and the public at large. More than 100 knowledgeable and dedicated individuals drawn from industry, labour, government, and community-based interests contributed their time and effort to the committee's work over a period of five months. What is Ontario's vision for telecommunications? The provincial government has adopted the vision statement proposed by the advisory committee: Enabled by telecommunications, Ontario and Canada will be the best place in the world to live, work, learn and do business. What are the goals of the Telecommunications Strategy? The strategy has four goals, again reflecting the recommendations of the advisory committee. They are: - a telecommunications infrastructure which enables economic growth - a dynamic, growing telecommunications sector - enhanced quality of life through telecommunications - strategic application of telecommunications by the Ontario government. What are the priorities under the strategy? The government has adopted the six strategic priorities recommended by the advisory committee. They are: - accelerating growth in applications development and use - creating a positive environment for information technology industry growth - investing in people through education and training for telecommunications - helping communities develop - government as a model user - ensuring that technology serves people. What role will the government play under the Telecommunications Strategy? The provincial commitment to the strategy is government-wide. Many ministries will contribute to achieving the goals and priorities. The Ministry of Education and Training will take the lead in a telecommunications education and training strategy. The aim will be to meet the training needs of the telecom industry and users and also to capitalize on telecommunications as a learning tool for Ontario residents. Management Board Secretariat will spearhead a government-wide information technology strategy to make the provincial government a model telecommunications user. At the national level, Ontario will advocate new policies before federal regulatory agencies. The province will urge the CRTC to adopt a broader definition of basic telecommunications service to ensure wide access to the latest telecommunications services. Ontario will also call for more effective regulatory processes which encourage innovation and new service introduction and for an open, competitive information technology marketplace - except where there is a compelling public interest to the contrary. What action will the government take now to implement the Telecommunications Strategy? The government will immediately provide funding for the Telecommunications Strategy and appoint the Council for an Ontario Information Infrastructure. How will the strategy be funded? Initially, there will be two sources of funding for the strategy - the Sector Partnership Fund and JobsOntario, both announced in the 1992 Ontario Budget. The Sector Partnership Fund will immediately begin accepting applications to assist telecommunications projects. Over three years the fund is designed to provide $150 million to help various sectors improve their competitiveness. Telecommunications has completed the industry consultations and strategic framework necessary to access these dollars. In addition, the jobsOntario initiative will channel $100 million over four years to a new Ontario Network Infrastructure Program (ONIP). The government's leadership through ONIP will stimulate the private sector to develop user-based and user-driven telecom networks. The first three projects to receive ONIP funding have been approved in principle: - a feasibility study of a community economic development strategy enabled by telecommunications in northwestern Ontario - support to the National Capital FreeNet in the Ottawa-Carleton area to put 500 social service agencies and community groups online to the public - expansion and upgrading of ONet, Ontario's existing research and education network linking universities, colleges, government and industry facilities. What will the Council for an Ontario Information Infrastructure do? The new council will raise public awareness, bring partners together, advise the government on industry trends, review and advise on applications and priorities under ONIP and the Sector Partnership Fund, assess progress under the provincial strategy and recommend any further actions needed. It will champion the campaign for an Ontario information infrastructure. The council will include a chair, two vice-chairs and members from diverse telecommunications stakeholders.