Cape Breton Communities to Test Drive Government@YourService

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--Cape Breton Communities to Test Drive Government@YourService

Two Cape Breton communities are among six across Nova Scotia that are participating in a new Internet service pilot project.

Government@YourService is an online offering that gives people a new and easier way to use the Internet to access government services. Community Access Project sites at the Main-a-Dieu Community Centre and Glace Bay Public Library are offering the new service and have trained staff members and volunteers to teach citizens how to use the online resources. Other Nova Scotia communities involved in the project are Sheet Harbour, Halifax, Shelburne and Barrington Passage.

"Government@YourService organizes things by topic relevant to the citizens of Nova Scotia," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Economic Development, the provincial agency responsible for CAP sites in Nova Scotia.

Currently, government organizes access to services by department. Through the technical leadership of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, searches can now be customized to the individual's specific needs. "This should make it easier to find what you're looking for, whether that's a marriage license, information on education or retirement, or help in replacing identification when you've lost your wallet," said Mr. Fage.

The project is being implemented with the assistance of Nova Scotia's network of CAP sites. The sites are community-based technology centres that can be found in more than 300 locations across the province, including libraries and other centres where communities gather.

"Libraries are a natural partner in this project," said Donald Ward, reference librarian with the Cape Breton Regional Library. "When people need information, the first place they look is often their local library. Whether the service that's needed is on paper or online, libraries can help. That is what makes projects like this one such a valuable part of our CAP partnership."

Originally set up under Industry Canada and the province, CAP sites continue to receive limited support but recognize they have to stay relevant to citizens to remain in business. Government@YourService enables CAP sites to stay current by providing access to resources from all three levels of government.

"This is a great opportunity for CAP sites to evolve and sustain themselves over the long term," said Mr. Fage. "We hope projects like this one will help the CAP network provide a valuable new service to citizens while expanding the CAP site's role as a community resource centre."

Assessments of the pilot may help expand the project to CAP sites and libraries in other communities in 2005.

The project is being piloted at the following six CAP sites:

• Main-A-Dieu Community Centre: 2886 Main-A-Dieu Road, Main-a- Dieu;
• Glace Bay Public Library: 121 Union St., Glace Bay;
• Youth Services Centre: 3533 Highway 3, Barrington Passage;
• McKay Memorial Library: 254 Water St., Shelburne;
• Bluewater CAP Site: 22756 Highway 7, Sheet Harbour;
• Captain William Spry Public Library: 10 Kidston Rd., Spryfield.