I don’t really know what I’m doing but that’s never stopped me before.

I’d like to create a group to save the CAPs program.

Community Access Programs allow people who otherwise might not be able to do so, to have access to the internet.

Those of us on boards and blogs know that the internet is an import tool for reaching out to others, activism and for social democracy.

More and more government information and programs are accessible only by internet.

Internet access has become an important tool for youth for education, socialization and (in small towns especially) for entertainment.

I spoke with someone at the local CAPs office today and found out that 60% of their clientele are people who cannot afford a computer and/or keep up payments on internet service.

The ages range from youth to seniors.

Quite a number come to job hunt or access government sites.

Often youth will come to play games or chat online, they are in a safe controlled area, have to follow the rules to be quiet and are not on the street.

The other 40% are travellers through town who come to hook up laptops, people taking courses to upgrade their computer skills, to either keep or get a job, and others who for whatever reason are not able to get immediate computer access.

The office therefore, covers a range of services, by the simple service of providing a computer space.

They have had no word of coming funding and the program funding runs out on March 31st.

Currently they are looking at staying afloat by drastically raising the course costs, and by partnering with businesses to tutor their staff.

What time this will leave for the public to have access or whether it will raise enough funds is debatable.

So I need help in putting together information and people to try to lobby for this program across Canada ,as they are not allowed to lobby for themselves.

Feel free to grab these graphics I’ll set up a page for them to link to soon.