It’s no surprise Colin Mayes is defending Ottawa’s spending cuts. Any expression of dissent and he’d be testing those costly F-35 fighter jets himself.
But what is concerning is the lack of understanding the Okanagan-Shuswap MP appears to have for his riding and the day-to-day plight many of his constituents face.
Mayes fully supports the elimination of taxpayers’ funds for public access Internet sites. He believes no one should be negatively impacted because “there are Internet cafes, it’s not that expensive.”
A quick survey shows that while there are restaurants in Lumby, Enderby and Armstrong with WiFi capabilities, most of them don’t have actual computers you can use. That means you require your own laptop, and it’s unlikely you will be able to print something from the web.
In Vernon, there’s the Downtown Internet Lounge with its 20 computers, printer and scanner. But because it is a business, there is a fee — $20 for eight hours or $150 a month for unlimited access.
That’s a good deal given that you avoid purchasing a computer and a contract with an Internet provider. But even $4 for one hour could prove challenging for those on a fixed income or unable to find work.
That’s why the Community Access Program has been a blessing since 1995.
Federal funding has allowed about 15 North Okanagan locations to offer free Internet access.
The users include the most vulnerable in our society — the homeless, seniors separated by great distances from their families, the disabled and teens from broken homes who are couch surfing. Many are working but minimum wage means a computer at home or Internet capability on a cell phone is a pipe dream.
It should be noted that the federal cuts come as the world is increasingly digital.
Many employers will only accept resumes by e-mail while applications for government services and colleges are found online. For some, the Internet is the first step in reigniting relationships once cast aside, or finding a place to live in a challenging market.
About 10 people a day have been using CAP at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission while the computers at virtually every library branch have a waitlist. The problem is, most of these host agencies can’t afford the program on its own ($3,600 a year for URM).
Besides cafes, Mayes suggests residents go to a Service Canada centre. That’s great if you live in Vernon, but what if you are in Cherryville, Falkland or on the Okanagan Indian Reserve and don’t have a vehicle? Remember, there is no transit out there.
While Service Canada has a job bank and details on government programs, you can’t sit around and reunite with an estranged child or parent over Facebook or do research on a legal or work-related matter.
When it was pointed out that some people don’t have the resources to buy a computer or go to a cafe, Mayes said, “You have to set priorities with the limited dollars you have.”
And that is true. But for some residents, the priorities are putting food on the table and given that the Upper Room Mission provides 200 meals a day, that is proving to be a difficult task. There’s bus fare to try and find a job or go to school, and ensuring the heat bill and rent are paid.
Mayes, through the generosity of taxpayers, has unlimited access to the Internet. I wonder if he would be willing to share with his constituents?
– richard@vernonmorningstar.com
