CCA Appoints Expert Panel on High-Throughput Networks for Rural and Remote Communities

The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) has formed an Expert Panel to examine the legal, ethical, social, and policy (LESP) issues associated with deploying and adopting reliable high-speed internet in rural and remote communities. Karen Barnes, EdD, President Emerita at Yukon University, will serve as Chair of the Panel.

“Access to a reliable high-speed internet connection could change many aspects of life and business for people currently managing without it,” said Dr. Barnes. “Rural and remote communities face issues that go beyond infrastructure and technology and I look forward to examining them in depth with my colleagues.”

As Chair, Dr. Barnes will lead a multidisciplinary group with extensive expertise in law, policy, ethics, economics, sociology, and technology. The Panel will answer the following question:

What are the legal, regulatory, ethical, social, and economic policy challenges associated with the deployment and use of high-throughput secure networks (HTSN) for rural and remote communities, including Indigenous communities, in Canada?

“Dr. Barnes brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this important project,” said Eric M. Meslin, PhD, FCAHS, President and CEO of the CCA. “I anticipate that under her guidance, the panel will produce a comprehensive report to help to inform the sponsor’s High-throughput and Secure Networks Challenge program.”

The CCA was asked by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to address the question. More information can be found here.

The Expert Panel on High-Throughput Networks for Rural and Remote Communities:

Karen Barnes (Chair), President Emerita, Yukon University

Ken Coates, FRSC, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan

Greg Halseth, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies, University of Northern British Columbia

Catherine Middleton, Professor and Director, Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management, Ryerson University

Marina Pavlović, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, University of Ottawa

Madeleine Redfern, President, Nuvujaq and Ajungi Arctic Consulting

Denise Williams, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Technology Council

Halim Yanikomeroglu, FCAE, Professor, Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University