What's New?

2013

CFS Program Renewed

We are pleased to inform you that the Computers for Schools Program (CFS) has been renewed. The CFS Program will continue to collect, refurbish and distribute computer equipment to learning organizations all across Canada. Industry Canada will also continue to support youth internships in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) via the Technical Work Experience Program (TWEP), an initiative of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy.

Should you need additional information on CFS, please do not hesitate to communicate with us.

2012

Computers for Schools Program Evaluation

Industry Canada's Audit and Evaluation Branch conducted an evalation of the Computers for Schools Program. The evaluation took place between June and November 2011 and its purpose was to assess the relevance and performance of the Computers for Schools Program. The final report that was approved by the Deputy Minister on March 1, 2012 was indeed very positive for the Program. The evaluation concluded that the Computers for Schools Program is still of great relevance and continues to provide the Government of Canada, along with the private sectors and general public with continued benefits.

Consult the final report of the evaluation.

2010

1,000,000th Computer Refurbished and Delivered in Canada

In April 2010, the Program celebrated the refurbishment and delivery of its one millionth refurbished and delivered computer. In order to announce and commemorate this outstanding achievement, the Minister of Industry, the Honourable Tony Clement, held an event at the York Street Public School in Ottawa. A multitude of attendees were present at this event, including CFS recipients, sponsors, donors, staff and provincial and territorial representatives.

For more information, please see the news release

Audit on Personal Information Disposal Practices

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) recently conducted an audit on personal information disposal practices in selected federal institutions. Industry Canada's Computers for Schools Program was one of the institutions audited. The final report tabled in Parliament in October 2010 highlighted that the Program operational procedures include sound controls to mitigate the risk of computers being distributed to clients with personal information residing on the hard drives. Of the 414 computers examined in our workshops across Canada, the audit concluded that every single one of them was properly wiped.

Furthermore, the Commissioner's office asked the program to conduct information sessions across Canada with federal departments and agencies to inform them of the existing policies and procedures in place to properly wipe hard drives. As a result, the Computers for Schools Program, in collaboration with the Treasury Board Secretariat, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Works and Government Services Canada, hosted a total of 17 sessions, in 14 cities throughout the country, to share the audit results with participants and provide them with the necessary documentation to ensure that wiping and cleansing procedures are properly implemented in all departments and agencies.

For more information, please see the news release