IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The Government of Canada today unveiled a national consultation aimed at building consensus among governments, the private sector, academia and the Canadian public in developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. The commitment to developing the strategy was outlined in both the government's Speech from the Throne and Budget 2010 and is aimed at positioning Canada for leadership in the global digital economy.

The announcement was made jointly by the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

Read more: Government of Canada Launches National Consultations on a Digital Economy Strategy

The Deep River and District Hospital is among the first hospitals in Ontario to begin using a new electronic repository (storage system) for patient information.

Deep River's system went live on Tuesday.

The repository is known as the Northern and Eastern Ontario Diagnostic Imaging Network (NEODIN). It is one of four being developed in the province to hold electronic copies of medical images and associated diagnostic reports. Once the northern and eastern repository and network is complete, it will allow the electronic transfer of images and reports between more than 60 diagnostic imaging departments in northern and eastern Ontario.

Read more: Canada: Ontario: Deep River hospital: State-of-the-art system will benefit patients

The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced the first series of projects to receive conditional funding approval under the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program. These 52 projects, in nine provinces and territories across Canada, will bring broadband Internet access to an estimated 169 000 households.

"I am delighted that, as a result of today's announcement, so many individuals, families and businesses across Canada will soon have access to high-speed Internet service for the first time," said Minister Clement. "Canada is poised to make great strides into the digital economy of the 21st century, and this news is a major part of our strategy."

Read more: Minister Clement Announces First Projects to Receive Broadband Canada Funding

The local health planning and integration body is augmenting telemedicine and home care services for rural residents, initially people with diabetes, but ultimately others with such chronic illnesses.

That’s one of the intentions under reforms to improve rural services within the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.

Rural residents want a good level of health care services, which new reforms are seeking to ensure, chief executive Sandra Hanmer said Monday.

Read more: Canada: Ontario: Waterloo-Wellington: Local health board pushes rural health services