Canada has the building blocks to secure our vision for a thriving future in 2030. But we must ensure everyone is able to benefit from it equitably. That means asking ourselves the hard question: who is being left behind in the digital world and why? While some people have benefited from high-speed internet and the increased convenience of virtual services during the pandemic, others have had to choose between buying internet services for online learning or groceries for their families.41 And while some organizations have successfully transitioned to fully remote workforces, others have had to shutter their doors permanently.42 The pandemic may have exacerbated and raised awareness of these divides, but they’re far from new.
Canadian policymakers and business leaders will have to confront these challenges and more in order to build a digitally equitable nation by 2030. Throughout the reports in this series, we’ll take a closer look at what’s needed in terms of access, participation, and ecosystem, and we’ll provide recommendations about the policy and business levers that must be pulled to meet those needs.
