CIRA to engage Canadians on the role of the Internet in their lives

OTTAWA, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - In November 2010, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) will host a series of consultations across Canada on how Canadians view the role of the Internet in their lives and the economy. 

CIRA is working with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Media Awareness Network (MNet) to coordinate consultations in six locations across the country as part of a Canadian Internet forum. These consultations are part of an initiative to discuss, debate and propose directions for the development, deployment and governance of the Internet in Canada.

The process will culminate in a national event in Ottawa in early 2011 where the results of the consultations will be presented and discussed. The result will be a white paper for presentation to the international Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a United Nations entity where nations, the private sector and non-governmental organizations convene to discuss Internet-related issues.

"A Canadian Internet forum will really allow us to take the pulse of Canadians with regard to how the Internet is run in Canada and around the world," said Byron Holland, President and CEO of CIRA. "By taking a broad-based, multi-sectoral approach, we will be able to chart the future of the Internet in Canada for years to come."

Through the month of November, CIRA will engage stakeholders in Winnipeg, Halifax, Iqaluit, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, each focused on one of two broad themes:

1. Economic Development: includes issues of broadband access and speed, cyber-crime, security, innovation, and competitiveness.
2. Digital Literacy: includes privacy, trust/identity, social media, social cohesion, and ethics.

These thematic areas were identified in a national survey conducted by CIRA in 2009.

Participation in the consultations is by invitation, and will include community leaders and knowledge holders, representatives from non-governmental organizations, academia, governments, and the private sector. The national event will be open to members of the public who have an interest in steering the direction of the Internet in Canada.

About CIRA 
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is the organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community and represents the .CA registry internationally.

For further information:

Jennifer Austin
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
[phone] ext. 296
[email protected]