Having an internet connection doesn’t mean much if the only device you own is too old to run the latest apps, video calls, or security updates. Across Canada, people are left behind not just by poor connectivity, but by the hardware and software gaps that quietly exclude them.
The Real-World Impacts
Security risks: Devices without updates are vulnerable to hacks, scams, and viruses.
Compatibility issues: Essential apps (banking, telehealth, education) often stop working on older operating systems.
Speed frustration: Even with good internet, outdated processors and memory can’t keep up.
Social exclusion: Children fall behind in school, and adults miss work opportunities because of obsolete devices.
Environmental trade-offs: Throwing away “old” but still functional devices feeds e-waste concerns.
Canadian Context
Low-income households: Many rely on older hand-me-down devices, leaving them disadvantaged for school or work.
Northern and rural communities: Limited repair options and higher costs make upgrading harder.
Government services: Some online portals require newer browsers or operating systems, unintentionally excluding users.
Community efforts: Nonprofits in cities like Toronto and Vancouver have launched refurbish-and-donate programs, but demand far outstrips supply.
The Challenges
Cost: New devices are expensive, and subsidies are rare.
Lifespans shrinking: Planned obsolescence and software cutoffs force frequent upgrades.
Equity gap: Device access is now as critical as internet access, yet less visible in policy debates.
Awareness: Many people don’t realize their tech is part of the access problem until they hit a wall.
The Opportunities
Device recycling & refurbishment programs: Scale them nationally, with funding and logistics support.
Public policy: Mandate longer software support lifespans for consumer devices.
Community hubs: Provide updated shared devices alongside Wi-Fi access.
Repair culture: Support right-to-repair laws and local repair shops.
The Bigger Picture
Digital access isn’t just about cables and towers — it’s about the tools in people’s hands. Without up-to-date, functional devices, Canadians risk becoming “digitally invisible” in an economy and society that assumes everyone can log in, connect, and keep up.
The Question
Should Canada treat access to functional, up-to-date devices as part of its digital inclusion agenda — the same way it treats internet connectivity?
Outdated Tech, Limited Access
When Old Tech Becomes a Barrier
Having an internet connection doesn’t mean much if the only device you own is too old to run the latest apps, video calls, or security updates. Across Canada, people are left behind not just by poor connectivity, but by the hardware and software gaps that quietly exclude them.
The Real-World Impacts
Canadian Context
The Challenges
The Opportunities
The Bigger Picture
Digital access isn’t just about cables and towers — it’s about the tools in people’s hands. Without up-to-date, functional devices, Canadians risk becoming “digitally invisible” in an economy and society that assumes everyone can log in, connect, and keep up.
The Question
Should Canada treat access to functional, up-to-date devices as part of its digital inclusion agenda — the same way it treats internet connectivity?