Committed to Canadian Communities
For all the headlines about the PC revolution and the growing number of Canadians using the Internet and wireless technologies, one important point is often overlooked. Not everyone is reaping the benefits of the wired world. A gap remains between the information “haves” and “have nots”. This gap, called the digital divide, can be caused by economic constraints, physical disabilities or geographic restrictions. Without access to computers, the latest software programs and educational training, Canadians in this group are at serious risk of falling behind their peers.
Microsoft Canada Co. believes it has a responsibility to help bridge this digital divide. Through its I Can Community Programs, Microsoft Canada has assisted charities, non-profits, and community groups across the country with support through financial aid, software, services, and volunteer support by its employees. The program is designed to help ensure Canadian children and youth have access to the technology, tools, and information they need to learn, communicate, and realize their potential.
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Initiatives include:
I Can Software Donation Program
| • | Microsoft Canada provides software to registered charities and not-for-profit organizations that meet the giving guidelines. Through our partner TechSoup, we have helped thousands of organizations across the country with their technology needs. |
| • | Microsoft Canada joined the Media Awareness Network and Bell Canada to support this initiative to empower parents with the information and resources they need to keep their kids safe online. As a leader in technology, Microsoft recognizes the Internet’s benefits and acts on our responsibility to protect children from the potential dangers that exist online. |
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
| • | Microsoft has a long-standing partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, starting in April 2002 with the launch of Can Tech, a $2.2 million program to establish technology centers in over 95 Boys and Girls Clubs across the country. Through the I Can programs, we also support an annual greeting card contest, the Digital Arts contest, and donate Microsoft hardware to clubs nationwide. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada were the first recipients of a Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) Grant in Canada, with the $480,000 in funding and $1.3 million in software going towards further development of their technology training programs for youth in Canada. |
Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS)
| • | Microsoft Canada partnered with the RCMP and the Toronto Police to develop CETS, a made-in-Canada software solution helps police combat online child exploitation and makes the Internet safer for children. The system was deployed nationally in April 2005 and Microsoft Canada has committed to provide the system free of charge to any police force with a child exploitation unit. |
| • | Ability Online is a friendly and safe computer friendship network where children and youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses connect to each other as well as to their friends, family members, caregivers and supporters. Microsoft Canada provides the charity with funds, training support to technical staff and software as needed. This helps to ensure that children who often feel isolated because of illness are able to experience a sense of belonging through computer-based communication. |
CNIB Digital Library and Children’s Discovery Portal
| • | In August 2002, the CNIB officially launched its $33 million “That all may read...” nationwide campaign to digitize its alternate format library. Microsoft worked with the CNIB, providing $2.5 million in technology and resources for the library. The collaboration includes designing the platform architecture to manage the digital library and developing the first Web site for children who are blind and visually impaired – the Children’s Discovery Portal. The portal will serve as a gateway to learning for thousands of blind and visually impaired children, paving the way for equal access. |
| • | Computers for Schools is a national, federal government-led program that collects, repairs and refurbishes donated surplus computers and distributes them free to schools and libraries throughout Canada. In June 2001, Microsoft Canada announced a contribution of $30 million in software academic licenses over the next three years. |
Microsoft Charity Hockey Challenge
| • | This employee conceived and driven initiative has raised over $100,000 for Ability Online and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada since its inception in 2002. |
I Volunteer
| • | The I Volunteer program allows Microsoft Canada employees to volunteer in their community during work hours for up to five days (or 40 hours) each year. The program also includes an online volunteer exchange resource as well as an online tracking tool to enable employees keep a record of their volunteer commitment. |
For more information contact: ican@microsoft.com
