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DELOITTE CANADA REPORT OUTLINES SOLUTIONS TO ACHIEVE DIGITAL EQUITY
Many Canadians still face barriers to participating in the digital world . Based on original research , including a survey of Canadians and interviews conducted with industry and government leaders , Digital Equity : Focusing on every Canadian ' s digital future is the second digital equity report released by Deloitte ' s Future of Canada Centre .
Despite the progress that has been made , the report shows Canada is falling behind on digital equity with growing gaps in access to digital technology and skills development , as well as an increased threat to online privacy and wellbeing .
The report reveals that age , ethnicity , income and geographic location are among the foremost factors influencing digital equity for Canadians , impacting Canada ' s ability to compete globally . with disabilities , lower-income households , seniors and women .
Some of the survey findings include :
• Over half ( 58 %) of households surveyed report speeds above the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ( CRTC ) minimum . By comparison , only 39 % of households earning less than CA $ 40,000 per year met this threshold .
• Households earning less than CA $ 40,000 per year were twice as likely to cite the cost of devices as a barrier compared to those earning over CA $ 150,000 per year .
• Only 44 % of respondents under the age of 35 feel their education prepared them to succeed in a digital economy .
• Roughly three in five respondents over the age of 75 express some level of frustration trying to use new technology .
• Nearly half ( 47 %) of respondents say they did not know where to go to gain digital skills .
" The report makes clear , actionable recommendations to increase collaboration between governments , communities and business leaders to ensure every Canadian has access to the tools and digital training needed to participate fully and safely online ," said Georgina Black , Managing Partner , Government and Public Services at Deloitte Canada .
" The recommendations in the report can be implemented today to build a more digitally equitable Canada now and into the future .” x
" The ability to use and access technology is now a requirement to fully participate in our society , yet many Canadians are being left behind in the wake of digital advancement ," said Anthony Viel , CEO , Deloitte Canada . " Whether it is the student who did not have a computer to use when their school went online , the senior who is not comfortable using digital technology or the employer struggling to find talent – digital inequity affects us all . To overcome these challenges , public and private sectors must work collectively to improve digital skills training and lifelong learning , expand access and bolster participation for all Canadians ."
Deloitte ' s new report examines challenges to connectivity , digital literacy and online safety . These challenges disproportionately impact Indigenous peoples , people in the 2SLGBTQ + community , racialised communities , recent immigrants , people
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