The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, celebrated the delivery of 1.5 million computers across Canada by the Computers for Schools program (CFS) at a special event on September 29^th, 2017 at Homelands Sr Public School in Mississauga, ON.

Shauna L. McCaffrey, Executive Director of Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) and the Computers for Schools Ontario program, thanked the Minister and the Government of Canada for the continued support of this important program and of the Computers for Schools Affiliates who helped to deliver the program nationally in every province and territory.  She highlighted the fact that the #digitalskills needed continuously evolve and is the primary reason why the CFS program still exists 24 years later.  

PHOTO: MP Sven Spengeman / Toby Harper-Merrett (CFSC) / Minister Navdeep Bains / RCT Team members

Grade 6 students from Centennial SR Public School demonstrated their advanced skills to the Minister by imaging the computers and creating an impromtu quick video at the event.  Teachers Michael Doui, Andrew Dobbie and Neil Lyons led the students during the demonstration and shared some hearffelt words on what the CFS program has meant to them and enabling their students to achieve. 

“The real impacts of the Computers for Schools program are demonstrated by the advanced skills and creativity that the students have demonstrated here in the classroom today, the youth that are sharing their skills by refurbishing the donated computers, and the heartfelt feedback that we receive from low income families, schools and non-profits.” said Shauna McCaffrey.

RCT Team members, CFS Youth Interns, program recipients, partners and RCT Board members were at the event to celebrate:  “RCT is proud do have delivered over 458,400 computers throughout Ontario, in addition to the 3,093 laptops to Syrian Refugee families as part of the #WelcomeRefugees intiative, to enable them to achieve and gain the skills that are needed to succeed in the workplace, in the classroom, and in their communities ”.

The #WelcomeRefugees initiative was mentioned by the Minister as one of the achievements he is proud of and as an example of what truly demonstrates what Canada is all about.  CFSC who led the Government of Canada`s #WelcomeRefugees intiative in a press release stated "Thanks to the CFS program, Canadians at risk of digital exclusion have been provided access to technology".  

THANK YOU!

Thank you to our gracious hosts Dana Wilson, Principal of Homelands SR Public School and the Peel District School Board.  

RCT would like to thank its donors, partners, supporters, clients, team and Board of Directors for their invaluable support. 

The day was filled with excitement as we were honoured to provide the 1.5 millionth computers on behalf of the Computers for Schools program across Canada.  We look forward to continuing the celebration with our colleagues this month in Vancouver who are all a critical part of the success of the truly national Canadian program.

Quote:

“My congratulations to everyone involved with Computers for Schools. This is a big milestone, and it marks another important step in creating the innovation culture that will sustain our job growth and ensure our success in the digital age. We especially need more women and other under-represented groups to learn the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. Canada will only succeed if we use everybody’s talents to their full potential.” 

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

About the CFS program

CFS is a national program that refurbishes computers donated from government, private business and individuals for use by schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous communities.

For more information:

·        Computers for Schools

·        Renewed Computer Technology

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