Networking Experts From Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Meet To Develop Regional Plan

By: Kevin Green  |   November 22nd, 2012   |   Business, News, O Canada

Networking specialists hailing from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia will meet on November 28th in Sackville to develop plans to join high-speed networks between the two Canadian provinces. The leaders in their field will discuss the best path to take to reach their regional goals. The latest meet up of the group was held after an Executive TeleForum that took place in October. Overall, i-CANADA is the force behind the meeting and is the group that is working toward an Intelligent Nation by helping social and business organizations in Canada prosper through a connected ecosystem.

 

Gary Stairs, President of Stellar Learning Strategies and Vice President of i-CANADA, explained the goals of the group in saying that, “We are envisioning a new national dream. Our region is leading the development of a new Canada  –  one suited to the 21st Century.  We are going to sketch out a plan to create an equitable high-bandwidth regional community, bringing ultra-high-speed service to homes and businesses throughout the twin provinces.”

 

Stairs adds that, “We are building on success. The digital economy strategies followed by the province of New Brunswick, for example, have brought us new business and higher levels of economic growth and social activity.  We are thrilled that the Governors Council of i-CANADA is Chaired by Premier David Alward  –  he is setting an example for everyone.  Mayor Brad Woodside of Fredericton is also a nationally-recognized champion; he has taken the digital economy message across Canada!  Our goal is to keep their momentum going, and make sure that we are all connected and engaged.”

 

Stairs went on to say that, “Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is general acknowledged to be the dynamic ecosystem sparking innovation and spurring change.  Befitting a workshop dedicated to breaking traditional molds, it is being held at the studio of photographer Thaddeus Holownia, Professor and Head of the department of Fine Arts, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick.  Holownia is setting aside his studio and his time, because he recognizes the importance of our work from a creative and innovative point of view.”

 

The group’s motivation to create super network is that they want Canada to be a leader in the field of networking and communication. The Vice President of i-CANADA explains that, “The reason for this initiative is the undeniable connection between broadband performance and a region’s prosperity. Twenty years ago Canada was the world’s leader in telecommunications and every year for the past few years we have declined.  A recent survey showed that we have dropped nine points in the past year alone, now ranking 14th behind countries such as Korea and Romania.”

 

Stairs spoke about how developing nation like Malaysia and Nigeria are using ICT to propel their economies and become developed nations. He believes that Canada’s future also relies on an agenda that will keep the country ahead of the curve. He concludes by saying that, “In many ways, our region is setting an example for the rest of Canada.  We want to accelerate that process.”

 

Source: CATA