The Education platform will promote partnerships through EduNet, and will provide a single, bilingual point of access to a range of services specific to students. The Business Services platform will focus on economic development, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises in the community. The 160 SmartSite locations will provide Internet-ready computers, conveniently located in schools, municipal offices, libraries and community locations throughout Ottawa. Friendly, Internet-savvy volunteers will be at each site, ready and willing to help users explore the many services offered. New users will learn how to use computers, navigate the Internet and use e-mail.
Connected citizens can search job sites, find housing, and link to Ottawa's many online services.
The SmartCapital project has the support of the City of Ottawa and eleven local businesses and educational institutions such as the Ottawa Public Library, Telesat Canada, the University of Ottawa and National Capital Freenet. The Smart Communities Program and the Community Access Program are part of the Government of Canada's Connecting Canadians initiative, which aims to make Canada the most connected nation in the world. Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework. The Smart Communities program is a three-year Government of Canada program created and administered by Industry Canada to help Canada become a world leader in the development and use of information and communication technologies for economic, social and cultural development. Smart Communities Demonstration Projects are the central focus of the Smart Communities Program.