The Canadian Internet Registration Authority today announced the first round of recipients in its Community Investment Program. I ran for the CIRA board in the hope that the organization would establish this kind of program and I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition. CIRA received 149 applications (I reviewed them all as chair of the Community Investment Committee) and they provided a great illustration of the energy, excitement, and innovation for the Internet that is taking place across the country.
The committee recommended a wide range of projects for funding with CIRA investing more than one million dollars in the effort. Projects include programs to teach kids how to code, improving Internet access in rural and lower income communities, creating an Internet exchange in Halifax, developing Internet programs in First Nation and northern communities, and creating an Internet-based warning system for at-risk youth. In addition, there are research projects on many issues including surveillance, Internet routing, and consumer e-commerce rights. This is an incredibly exciting initiative as CIRA steps in to provide assistance to projects from coast-to-coast-to-coast. I am very proud to be part of the effort, grateful to the other members of the committee for their hard work in reviewing the applications, and looking forward to the results.