Opinion
How COVID-19 changed Canada’s conversation on digital infrastructure
By Trevin Stratton and Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia July 16, 2020
Much has changed in the past few months, and in many ways we have all been forced to adapt. Let’s embrace this opportunity to change by laying the groundwork of a digital infrastructure that works for every Canadian, today and tomorrow.
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, pictured. There’s more to the wireless story than services. An increasingly digital economy will require major investments in sophisticated networks, cybersecurity, and electronics. It will also force businesses to accelerate their adoption of new technologies and business models to interact with customers, suppliers, and employees more efficiently, write Trevin Stratton and Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
In a matter of months, Canadians’ primary thoughts about broadband connectivity went from cost to need, and from “nice to have” to “must have.” In between virtual meetings, conference calls, and running work laptops from home, Canadians everywhere were not only using their internet services like never before, but also became relentlessly dependent upon them. In the language of COVID time, digital infrastructure became an unprecedented essential service, showcasing accelerated technology adoption at best. There’s no point of return from where we are today.
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