Ontario Youth Internships (YI) at Community Access Sites     

Mission 
The program plays a crucial role in bridging the Digital Divide; contributing to the foundation for electronic access to government services; encouraging online learning  and literacy;
fostering the development of community based infrastructure; promoting Canadian e-commerce; and providing training with Assistive Technology.

The Community Access Program provides computers at various community fixtures for public use.

Description 
In 1994, Industry Canada started a program called the Community Access Program (or CAP)  in an effort to make Canada the leader in the global “Internet race.” Initially,
Industry Canada  focused the efforts of the program on rural communities, where Internet access was less available.

Libraries, municipal offices and schools could apply for funding to purchase computers and computer equipment to set up CAP Sites.

Once the rural communities were equipped with computers and Internet access, Industry Canada began to focus on what is
referred to as the “Digital Divide.” 

This divide consists of individuals who do not normally have Internet access, such as First Nations peoples, seniors, second-language citizens, etc.  CAP Sites in urban areas were thus opened to help reach these people.

In order to make better use of the computers and equipment funded by CAP,  Industry Canada also initiated the Community Access Program - Youth Initiative (CAP-YI).

CAP Sites could apply for funding to hire Youth Interns to come and work in their CAP Sites in order to train the public  in computer and internet use, as well as other technology skills.

A child and his dog, followed by bagpipers, march in the Massey Fair Parade, past Shiels Garage, which is now where Home Hardware is, on Imperial Street South.

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The Massey Area Museum would like to thank former CAP student Wade Owl for his hard work.