Industry Canada's Community Access Program provides funding to establish public Internet access sites in communities across Canada. Its aim is to help communities to obtain affordable public access to the Internet and the skills to use it effectively.

The Ministry negotiated five contribution agreements with Industry Canada to establish CAP sites in Ontario's public libraries.

In March, 2000, the Ministry signed an agreement with Industry Canada for Urban CAP for Libraries. The Ministry received $4.4 million in 2000/01 to provide Ontario's 35 urban library boards with funding to set up full CAP sites in all 258 urban library branches.

In 1998/99, the Ministry received $2,486,625 in Industry Canada funding to establish start-up public Internet access and high speed telecommunications services in Ontario libraries. A total of 447 library branches, which previously had no public Internet access, received start-up funding through this agreement.

Rural libraries were then eligible to apply to Industry Canada for full CAP funding. The Urban element of the federal program was announced in December 1999.

Following completion of the five contribution agreements between the Ministry and Industry Canada, a decision was made by Industry Canada to administer the program directly by Industry Canada.