In recognition of Digital Inclusion Week, October 6–10, we are highlighting the important work of GEO Nova Scotia (Getting Everyone Online).
Jill Balser, Minister of the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions, attended the 2025 GEO Nova Scotia Forum in Halifax earlier this week where she delivered the Proclamation of Digital Inclusion Week.
Image Description: This picture shows Minister Jill Balser standing in front of two GEO Nova Scotia banners with Bonnie Ste-Croix and Matt Spurway from GEO Nova Scotia. Bonnie is holding the Proclamation of Digital Inclusion Week.
This week focuses on raising awareness of the importance of digital equity and making sure that everyone – regardless of income, age or background – has access to the technology, connectivity and skills needed to succeed in today’s digital world.
Advancing digital inclusion calls for collaboration among government, community groups, and the private sector, so all Nova Scotians can benefit from the opportunities of the digital age. GEO Nova Scotia is leading the charge in our province, working alongside government and community partners to make digital inclusion a reality for all Nova Scotians.
The Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions (CSDS) is leading the digital transformation of government programs and services. We are working together with staff in departments across government to make public services better for Nova Scotians. This includes efforts to enhance digital and data literacy across the public service, empowering staff to approach their work with a digital mindset.
We’re not alone in this transformative mission. CSDS collaborates with like-minded groups at all levels of government as well as with non-profits and other social enterprises. One such organization is GEO Nova Scotia.
| Since 2022, GEO Nova Scotia has distributed over 6000 smartphones, Chromebooks, laptops and iPads. They’ve provided more than 2500 internet connections and 1500 mobile plans and trained more than 250 “digital champions” to help grow the digital proficiency of Nova Scotians who otherwise would not have access to any of the tech, or the skills needed to thrive in today’s online world. |
GEO Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization that works closely with partners from all sectors to make sure everyone in Nova Scotia, no matter what their life circumstances are, has access to devices, internet access, and the skills and confidence to be online. Digital inclusion has the power to change lives for the better, but as the saying goes, it takes a village. In founder and Chief Development Officer Matt Spurway’s words, “We’re conveners. We pull people together and ask them to do what they’re already doing, what they’re good at.” While that goal might sound simple, it is anything but. Their goal is to collaborate with partner organizations to equip as many Nova Scotians as possible with phones, other tech devices, internet access, and the skills to use them, making digital inclusion a reality for all.
From the beginning, Matt’s vision was to reduce the cumbersome and exclusionary processes that are so commonplace: “There is no approval process. There is no application. Our community partners decide who needs the help, and we make sure they get it. When you think about the impact that digital inclusion has on a household, on 360º of a person’s life, their ability to stay connected with family and friends, their ability to access help and supports, their ability to get information, to apply for things. Digital inclusion is a shared responsibility for our shared benefit.”
GEO Nova Scotia’s goals and CSDS’ mission to make public services better for everyone are beautifully aligned. It is partnerships like this that will help ensure province-wide access to the digital world and all it offers.
The department’s enthusiasm for the work being done at GEO Nova Scotia almost matches Matt’s own. That enthusiasm is well-founded: GEO Nova Scotia’s community partners report that the work being done is changing lives by helping people access critical information, services, and support. People describe feeling more connected, empowered, seen, and supported. These partnerships are making real change in the lives of Nova Scotians from one end of the province to the other.