Item - 2017.ED24.6

The Economic Development Committee:

1. Requested Economic Development staff to work within existing city processes to have a Digital Literacy Day proclaimed in Toronto in May 2018.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and its business and financial capital. The city ranks in the top ten globally across many indices. The city's stature as a global economic hub is based on a highly educated, diverse workforce—an asset across many sectors.

Technology is fundamentally changing the way we live, work, learn and play—if access to broadband is an essential service, then digital literacy is a necessity to navigate this transformation. Cities are at the heart of this 'Industrial Revolution 4.0' yet there is no consensus on a definition of “Digital Literacy”. Canada does not have a national digital literacy strategy and efforts to educate and train in this space are fragmented across the province. Given this environment, Toronto has an important opportunity take a leadership role to ensure the City maintains its leading economic and human capital edge.

The City of Toronto is a champion of digital innovation with accomplishments such as Digital Main Street, 311, Benefits Card, Open Data, Service Modernization and many more. The city is equally lauded for assets such as the innovation ecosystem, the Toronto Public Library and Waterfront in an economy that boasts thriving Technology, Financial and Business Services and Education sectors.

The report responds to City Council direction to report back on the resources required to declare a Digital Literacy Day in 2018.