Projecting the Evolution of the Internet, its Technologies, Communities and Management

The report details a March 2009 workshop in Vancouver where 32 diverse Canadian stakeholders discussed the future of the Internet through the lens of sustainability. Participants analyzed four scenarios—government-regulated, unregulated market, VIPnet (elite-only), and Internet commons—to identify critical uncertainties and policy needs. Key recommendations include pursuing universal broadband access, integrating ICT into national greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and establishing a Canadian Internet Governance Forum. The report argues that Canada needs a more unified, holistic ICT policy function within the government to ensure the Internet serves human and environmental needs rather than just economic growth.

• Participants recommended that Canada implement a policy of universal broadband access and provide public support for Internet infrastructure, suggesting a goal of universal "ADSL-like" access by 2020.
• The workshop suggested that information and communications technology (ICT) should be integrated into Canada's national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategy, citing a Japan study where ICT helped reach 90 per cent of its Kyoto target through de-materialization.
• There is a perceived need for a unified ICT policy-making function within the Government of Canada, potentially as a single division or a new "Department of Information and Communications Technologies," to move beyond a narrow focus on economic growth.
• The report proposes the creation of a Canadian Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to engage the public on policy issues and help the government prepare for international multistakeholder forums like the OECD and ITU.
• Stakeholders argued that the success of the Internet should be measured by human and environmental indicators—such as the reduction of obsolescence and the achievement of a closed loop economy—rather than just technical or economic metrics.
• Participants expressed concern over Canada's declining ICT competitiveness, noting that between 2002 and 2007, Canada dropped from 9th to 19th place among 154 countries in the advancement of ICT use.
• The report recommends that the Canadian government avoid rushing into legislation regarding the privacy and anonymity of Internet users, as existing court mechanisms are deemed sufficient.
• The workshop identified a risk that the Internet could degrade local social cohesion by encouraging virtual exchanges over real-world local responsibility, though it also noted the potential for the Internet to be a tool for local community building.

APA

Vetter, T., MacLean, D., & Creech, H. (2009). Projecting the Evolution of the Internet, its Technologies, Communities and Management. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/projecting_internet_evolution.pdf

Chicago

Vetter, Tony, Don MacLean, and Heather Creech. Projecting the Evolution of the Internet, its Technologies, Communities and Management. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2009. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/projecting_internet_evolution.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Vetter |first1=Tony |last2=MacLean |first2=Don |last3=Creech |first3=Heather |title=Projecting the Evolution of the Internet, its Technologies, Communities and Management |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2009 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/projecting_internet_evolution.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vetter2009projecting, author = {Vetter, Tony and MacLean, Don and Creech, Heather}, title = {{Projecting the Evolution of the Internet, its Technologies, Communities and Management}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2009}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/projecting_internet_evolution.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }