OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 6, 2024 /CNW/ – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will confirm an investment in 5G and advanced network technologies.

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Time: 4 pm (EST)

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to receive event location details and confirm their attendance. Media representatives are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the event.

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MIAMI, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark vote, over 776,000 Miami-Dade residents, or 76.72% of voters, voiced strong support for expanding free public Wi-Fi access across the county. Spearheaded by Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee, this non-binding initiative signals widespread public backing for efforts to bridge the digital divide and create greater internet access for all residents.

Commissioner McGhee, who has a distinguished background in public service as an assistant prosecutor, author, adjunct professor, and former Minority Leader of the Florida House, has made digital equity a priority. “This initiative is about ensuring that every family, student, farmer, and senior citizen in Miami-Dade has access to the internet—a critical resource in today’s world,” McGhee said. “Expanding free public Wi-Fi would help close the gap for marginalized communities and create opportunities for economic mobility and generational wealth.”

Many families in Miami-Dade, especially in low-income and underserved areas, still lack reliable internet access. According to Miami-Dade County Public Schools, approximately 25% of students—about 88,000 children—do not have access to high-speed internet at home, a gap that impacts their ability to complete homework, attend virtual classes, and use online resources critical for educational success.

The county’s senior citizens are also among the most digitally underserved. AARP reports that 34% of seniors in the U.S. do not have internet access at home. For older adults, reliable internet is vital to accessing health information, staying in touch with family, and connecting with social services. As Miami-Dade’s population ages, ensuring that seniors have access to free public Wi-Fi will help combat social isolation and improve quality of life.

“From schoolchildren to seniors, every resident in Miami-Dade deserves equal access to the digital tools that define our daily lives,” McGhee said. “This isn’t just a technology issue—it’s a matter of equity and opportunity.”

Rural communities in Miami-Dade also face unique connectivity challenges. Farmers, for example, rely on the internet for essential agricultural technologies like precision farming, weather tracking, and market data. Yet, 22% of farms across the U.S. still lack reliable internet access, according to the USDA.

“Expanding public Wi-Fi to rural areas would allow our farmers to access the latest technologies and remain competitive,” McGhee explained. “A digitally connected agricultural sector benefits everyone in Miami-Dade County.”

Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Kansas City have already adopted free public Wi-Fi to promote digital inclusion and foster innovation. By expanding public Wi-Fi, Miami-Dade can join these pioneering communities, moving closer to becoming a world-class county where no resident is left behind in the digital age.

“Miami-Dade can’t reach its full potential as a world-class community without ensuring that every resident has the tools to thrive in the 21st century,” said McGhee. “Expanding free public Wi-Fi is about more than just convenience—it’s about giving families, students, seniors, and farmers the digital resources they need to succeed.”

Contact: Juanita Olvera, Juanita.olvera@miamidade.gov

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SOURCE Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 6, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, made the following statement:

“As a result of a multi-step national security review process, which involves rigorous scrutiny by Canada’s national security and intelligence community, the Government of Canada has ordered the wind up of  the Canadian business carried on by TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s operations in Canada through the establishment of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.

“The government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice. It is important for Canadians to adopt good cyber security practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply. The government encourages Canadians to consult the guidance issued by Communications Security Establishment Canada’s Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to help them assess these risks.

“The government’s decision was made in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may be injurious to Canada’s national security. The government applies enhanced scrutiny to investments that fall within the jurisdiction of the Investment Canada Act for a number of business sectors and activities, including the interactive digital media sector as outlined in the March 2024 Policy Statement on Foreign Investment Review in the Interactive Digital Media Sector.

“While Canada continues to welcome foreign direct investment, the government will act decisively when investments threaten our national security.”

Associated links

Policy Statement on Foreign Investment Review in the Interactive Digital Media SectorGuidelines on the National Security Review of InvestmentsProtect how you connect

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