The Department of Development and Rural Renewal (DDRR) is rolling right along with plans for how rural Newfoundland is to be served in terms of information technology, without any regard for rural people. The Southern Avalon Development Association in Trepassey is sponsor for the Avalon Regional Telecentre in Trepassey and is both dismayed and angered that they have not been consulted regarding future operations.
Telecentres provide one of the few examples of using Information Technology in rural Newfoundland, yet in a press release from the Department of Development and Rural Renewal on March 20, reference is made to providing access to business information only. No reference is made to continuing the work that Telecentres do in promoting the use of Information Technology for economic development. If, as Ms. Foote says, there are plans to move the Telecentres to DDRR offices or public libraries, this move also causes us concern. There is no DDRR office in our zone and our public library is only open for 10 or 12 hours a week. What are the plans to ensure that the existing level of service is maintained? Telecentres are perhaps one of the success highlights in rural Newfoundland and every effort should be made by government to continue to support the present structure.