TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

A VISION OF THE FUTURE

GETTING THERE - GUIDING PRINCIPLES

OBJECTIVES/TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Setting out the Objectives
  
• Objective - Universal, affordable access to communication networks and information services for individuals, communities and institutions.
  
• Objective -Access - Empowering individuals and communities
  
• Objective - Increase and enhance B.C.'s information technology industry.
  
• Objective - Increase effectiveness and efficiency of public services.
  

A DYNAMIC PROCESS

INTRODUCTION

The Electronic Highway Accord results from deliberations with representatives of industry, labour, education, research, government and community groups. It represents the collective efforts of a significant number of individuals and organizations to develop a shared vision for British Columbians as we strive, together, to take full advantage of the electronic highway. This "highway" is a network of networks resulting from the convergence of computing and communications technologies. For those who connect to the highway, it will enhance their ability to communicate with one another, to access and share information of all kinds, to get services, and to develop and deliver services electronically. Telecommunications has become, as basic an element of Canada's infrastructure as roads, rail, flight and other fundamental services.

The "EIectronic Highway" brings with it promises and challenges at many different levels. This Accord sets out a vision, principles to guide action, and then sets out a number of specific objectives. Each objective is described briefly and then followed by a series of targeted outcomes. This is then followed by a section on the need for the Initiative to be dynamic and continue over time.

The purpose of the Accord is to provide direction and guide actions for all parties as the more specific programs and activities are developed and implemented. It is accompanied by a more detailed work plan.

A VISION OF THE FUTURE

"All British Columbians have affordable electronic access to networks and services enabling them to communicate, learn, be entertained, create, work and prosper in an information-based society."

This vision statement reflects a number of fundamental characteristics that must be built into the development of the Electronic Highway in British Columbia for the vision to become reality.

These are:

The best environment for the participation of communities in the information society: Community networks and public points of access are fundamental to affordable electronic access to services and broad community participation in the information society. A continuing commitment to involving the public in developing the electronic highway is essential.

The best opportunities for BC residents to participate in the information society: Participation depends on having affordable infrastructure in place, and on the ability of organizations, individuals and businesses to be involved. This characteristic underlines the importance of the community, its businesses and public institutions, assisting, training, promoting and creating opportunities for individuals and groups taking into account particular circumstances and needs.

The most dynamic marketplace and best environment for Information technology (IT) and telecom companies in the country: Industries based on and adapting to new technologies are to be welcomed and encouraged in B.C. and should build on and work with the research, development and entrepreneurial capacity that the province has to offer. Opportunities should be created to enable information technology and telecommunications businesses to develop and grow regardless of location. Support for local development and global competitiveness must be features of our future.

The best possible use of new technologies for the provision of public services: Public services throughout the province should be enhanced through the strategic, cost-effective management and application of information technology. This should include carefully developed and implemented policies that make government services widely available in electronic format, protect the individual's right to privacy and enhance the availability of government information.

An informed public is essential to democracy. The electronic highway must strengthen the democratic process by contributing to an informed and participatory constituency and by enabling a dialogue between citizens and their government. Government information must be made freely available where it is in the public interest to do so.

To realize this future requires that we take cooperative action on a number of different but related fronts, and that actions are guided by a number of principles.

GETTING THERE - GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Before dealing with the more specific aspects of the Accord, there are a number of principles that should be kept in mind and used to guide future actions in support of the Electronic Highway.

A Collaborative Approach - The success of the Initiative will require the collaborative input and commitment of diverse groups, organizations and interests. It cannot be accomplished by one group or sector acting alone.

Clearly Defined and Complementary Roles - The collaboration of communities, and the public and private sectors must be based on a clear understanding of their respective roles. Communities will focus on overcoming barriers for individuals and groups to facilitate their access to and use of communications networks and information services. The public sector's focus will be on the strategic procurement, management, and application of information technologies; and on education and research. The private sector's focus is to research, develop, and supply innovative information technology and telecommunications facilities, products, and services to meet public, consumer, and business demand.

Focus on Individuals and Communities - The Initiative focuses on the needs of individuals and communities. Access to networks and services of the information highway, regardless of location, individual means or circumstances, must be available throughout the province. Meeting the needs of rural and remote communities is a priority. There must be community input in the development of public information services. The importance of community resources and institutions must also be taken into account.

Recognition of Fiscal Realities -While the continual financial pressure on the delivery of public services must be taken into account, it is recognized that failure to invest in a public information infrastructure could likely result in long term social costs. Innovative partnerships and cost effective solutions must be developed to replace or complement traditional government financial support.

Government Leadership; Shared Responsibility - The provincial government must play a leadership role in guiding the development of the Electronic Highway in British Columbia. This role includes representing the province's interests in federal policy and regulatory processes, and internationally. The success of the Initiative will result from all of the involved parties, organizations and institutions sharing responsibility and working together wherever possible.

OBJECTIVES/TARGETED OUTCOMES

Setting out the Objectives

The following objectives are essential to the success of the Electronic Highway Initiative:

Universal, affordable access to communication networks and information services for individuals, communities and institutions.

Increase and enhance B.C.'s information technology industry.

Increase effectiveness and efficiency of public services.

In the following sections, each objective is set out. A number of targeted outcomes are then listed. These outcomes should be considered as a first step toward achieving the objective.

Objective - Universal, affordable access to communication networks and information
services for individuals, communities and institutions.

This objective has two aspects. First, it deals with the need to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to provide the capacity to participate in the information society. Second, it deals with the need to ensure the ability of individuals, organizations and communities, to participate.

Access - Capacity.

Targeted Outcomes:

• Province-wide, individual line service standard, and 100% digital switching capacity by 1997-98.
• Extension of basic telephone service to to all communities currently unserved, by 1997-99.
• Maintaining the affordability of universal, basic service, on an on-going basis.
• Extension of affordable access to the Internet and other information services throughout the province.
• Implementation of province-wide, public sector electronic initiatives related to education, health care and government administration, through open, competitive tendering.
• Deployment of interactive broadband facilities and services to link individuals, businesses and institutions in more than 170 communities within an agreed to time frame.

Access - Empowering individuals and communities.

Targeted Outcomes:

• Ensure that public libraries become public points of access for individual entry onto the electronic highway.
• Ensure that communities are able to add further public points of access for individual entry onto the electronic highway.
• Support the development of FreeNets and community networks by encouraging, promoting and providing innovative financial support for them. This will provide a focus for the development of local content and provide training and hands on assistance as a community resource.
• Ensure that community groups and public organizations are able to develop unique local electronic content and services.
• Support the development of increased computer literacy, comfort and information usage skills, particularly for those groups that for a variety of reasons require assistance.
• Ensure community input into the development of public information services to take into account the needs of particular areas and groups.

Objective - Increase and enhance B.C.'s information technology industry.

Targeted Outcomes:

• Provide the private sector industry with greater access to public sector demand.
• Encourage the development of partnership initiatives that advance and showcase innovative B.C. product and service development and expand markets for distribution.
• Provide for opportunities for local industry in hardware, software and R&D to access the demand by cable and telecommunications carriers operating in B.C.
• Encourage the growth of commercial Internet service providers as a source of regional entrepreneurial growth and to facilitate the establishment of Free-Nets.
• Substantially increase the number of businesses and jobs in the information technology and information management industry in B.C..

Objective - Increase effectiveness and efficiency of public services.

Targeted Outcomes:

• Establish a Chief Information Office (CIO) function in government to manage public sector information, information technology and telecommunications resources in a strategic and cost- effective manner. The CIO will be responsible for implementing the Accord in a manner consistent with its vision and guiding principles.
• Establish a broader mandate and a more active role for the Purchasing Commission in the acquisition of IT/Telecom resources through the development of criteria for and the management of, an open tendering process.
• Revise the role and mandate of the BC Systems Corporation to redirect and limit its activities in a manner consistent with the desired outcomes of the Initiative.
• Rationalize the use and management of public commercial information technology and telecommunications assets.

A DYNAMIC PROCESS

An important aspect of this Accord is to ensure that there is on-going broad based consultation, evaluation and accountability in the development of the Initiative. The dynamic nature of this area, with new technologies, new opportunities and new issues emerging on a continual basis, requires that there be the ability to review and adjust the objectives, outcomes and targets as required. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including the following:

• Establish a broadly representative advisory body mandated to report on progress toward the goals that have been set, and to raise issues that arise as the electronic highway evolves.
• Establish a comprehensive communications process via media and public forums to promote public awareness of issues relating to the electronic highway initiative.
• Establish a process to ensure that issues related to safeguarding individual privacy and public access to information that arise as part of the electronic highway initiative are taken into account in those forums which deal more specifically with these matters. The design and development of public information systems will comply with access to information and fair information practices.
• Encourage on-going discussion on issues and concerns related to the electronic highway, both through traditional and electronic means.

The structuring of advisory bodies must be carefully considered if they are to be both representative and effective. Also important is the means of ensuring that issues that arise as part of this Initiative are taken into account, without necessarily duplicating the on-going work of other bodies.

On-going consultation should also take advantage of community resources focused on this area, and wherever possible to use electronic means to ensure broad and on-going input into the area.

Copyright © 1995 BCLA Information Policy Committee

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