Sarah Blyth, Executive Director of the Overdose Prevention Society, and other advocates are pushing City Councillors Christine Boyle and Lenny Zhou for infrastructure that would enable free Wi-Fi across the Downtown Eastside (DTES).
In the DTES, internet access would provide critical services to those who experience homelessness or poverty: medical assistance and appointments, contact with family and friends, or the ability to apply for housing or employment. WiFi could also provide access to emergency help through 911 or apps like Lifeguard. The city is aware of the life-saving measures that Wi-Fi provides.
The City of Vancouver states that it is “one of the largest free public WiFi providers in North America,” with 521 free public wifi spots across the city.
CFRO reached out to the City of Vancouver regarding the #VanWiFi expansion and received a response indicating that the city remains committed to exploring additional avenues to support the availability of free WiFi.
