Item - 2019.EC2.11

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Directed the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Chief Information Officer to include in any connectivity plans and strategies for improvements to affordable, high-speed internet that are currently underway, the feasibility of implementing Public Wi-Fi in Community Recreation facilities including community centres and arenas.

Access to digital information and services is vital to public access to services in the City of Toronto. Residents particularly in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas face barriers to access as a result of a lack of technology and internet services. In addition, ensuring the city's public facilities remain competitive is essential to optimizing opportunities for community and business use of these facilities. Parks Forestry and Recreation experiences on-going requests for Public Wi-Fi to enable residents to search for programs and services, for community sport organizations to stream games at indoor arenas and for community space users to host meetings using digital platforms. The City of Toronto's community centres and indoor arena facilities should be prioritized as part of the city's broader strategy to address the digital divide, improve geographic broadband and integrating Wi-Fi access points in public space.