Grant slashed for computer improvements.

Industry Canada has cut funding to its Community Access Program (CAP) effective Mar. 31.

CAP operates out of public libraries and community centres to provide free or low-cost Internet access to the public. The timing of the announcement, which came with little notice and after municipal grants were set for the calendar year, made it difficult for public libraries with small operating budgets to absorb the cost of continuing the service.

In Brant its meant that $25,000 a year will be lost to the public library system's five branches. Gaye Kozak Selby, the county's Chief Library, said the grant will be missed. It was used to fund hardware and software upgrades and helped businesses and individuals navigate new technology. Money from the grant paid for a new classroom set of iPads in the library.

"The impact will not be felt this year but the next years," Selby said in an interview. "Technology is moving rapidly and it's hard to stay on top of changes. The money will be hard to replace."

Many rural regions in Canada still do not have broadband service. The public library is often the only place where citizens can access computers with high-speed Internet connections.