An increasing number of Canadians are browsing, interacting, learning and buying over the Internet, according to a recent released report from The Conference Board of Canada.
Canada is a global leader in the use of information and communication technologies, second only to the U.S., the annual Connectedness Index reveals.
"Canada is clearly connected, for example, we ranked first in the index for online banking, government online services and broadband penetration," says Brian Guthrie, director, innovation and knowledge management at the Conference Board. "Each year Canadians are becoming more comfortable with computers, the Internet and their applications, but we should not be complacent. Other countries are making connectedness a priority and are progressing quickly."
Statistics show 32 per cent of Canadian households use the Internet from home for formal education and learning. Businesses use information and communications technologies to become more productive and studies show e-business activity is steadily increasing over time.
Four sectors in particular benefit from Canada's strength in connectedness - health, education, business and government.
The Connectedness Index is the third in an annual series that compares Canada with nine other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations, the other G7 countries, plus Australia, Finland and Sweden, on the availability and use of information and communication technologies.
