When we started reBOOT Canada back in 1995, the world was just beginning to discover what the internet could do. Most homes didn’t yet have a computer, and the idea of a “digital divide” wasn’t part of everyday conversation. But even then, we could see what was coming — a future where access to technology would shape opportunity itself.
What we also saw, sitting in office basements and corporate storage rooms, were towers of “retired” computers — machines still in working condition, but destined for landfill simply because they’d been replaced by newer models. It didn’t sit right with us. Why should perfectly good technology be thrown away when so many people could use it to connect, learn, and grow?
So we began collecting those computers, cleaning them up, repairing what we could, and passing them on to people who needed them. That’s how reBOOT Canada was born: out of a simple belief that digital access was going to be vital for individuals and communities and shouldn’t be a privilege. Also, that giving old technology new life could change human lives, too.
Building Bridges Through Technology
Over the decades, that small idea grew into a national mission. Today, we refurbish and redeploy thousands of computers every year out of our offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and Peterborough — over 13,000 donated devices came through our doors from businesses, institutions, and individuals across Canada last year.
Each one of those devices has a story. Some are passed along to newcomers setting up their first home in Canada, eager to learn English and apply for jobs online. Others go to seniors reconnecting with family through video calls. Some find their way into classrooms or community centers in remote and Indigenous communities, where a single working laptop can open a world of information.
We see it every day: a computer is never just a computer. It’s an opportunity — a chance to study, to work, to connect, to belong.
Our Mission in Action
Our mission is simple but powerful: to enable all Canadians to become fully functioning members of society through affordable access to technology.
We do this through a few key programs that tackle digital exclusion from different angles:
- reSTART helps people on limited incomes — those receiving social assistance or living with financial barriers — access high-quality refurbished computers at low cost.
- reSOURCE supports other charities and non-profits, helping them get the technology they need to keep serving their communities efficiently.
- reLAY goes a step further, bringing free WiFi infrastructure to underserved and remote areas — places where internet access can still be hard to find.
Each of these programs represents a piece of our bigger vision: a Canada where everyone, no matter their income or postal code, has the tools to thrive in a digital world.
The Heart of What We Do
Our favourite moments are seeing someone pick up their very first computer. There’s a mix of excitement and relief — because suddenly, things that felt impossible start to feel within reach. A parent can help their child with homework. A job seeker can finally apply online. A senior can reconnect with family across the country.
One of our most impactful collaborations has been with the Gathering Place Community Centre in downtown Vancouver. The Gathering Place Community Centre serves a diverse community, including individuals experiencing homelessness, seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing mental health challenges. With over 4,000 members annually, the centre provides a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can access essential services and support.
Recognizing the increasing importance of digital access, the Gathering Place identified a gap in providing reliable computer resources for its clients. Many individuals were unable to access essential services, apply for jobs, or connect with loved ones due to the lack of available technology.
In response to this need, reBOOT Canada partnered with the Gathering Place to provide refurbished laptops and digital literacy training. This initiative enabled community members to:
- Access online resources for job applications and skill development
- Connect with family and friends through digital platforms
- Enhance their digital literacy, empowering them to navigate the online world with confidence
The collaboration between reBOOT Canada and the Gathering Place Community Centre has had a profound impact on the community. Individuals who once faced barriers to digital access are now equipped with the tools and skills to participate fully in society.
Doing Good for People and the Planet
Our work has always been about inclusion, but it’s also about sustainability. Every computer we refurbish means one less piece of e-waste in a landfill. Canada generates hundreds of thousands of tonnes of electronic waste every year — much of it still usable. By giving technology a second life, we’re helping build a circular economy where resources are reused responsibly, and waste is minimized.
For every donor, we handle everything from secure data sanitization to proper recycling of unusable parts. Nothing goes to waste — and everything possible gets another chance to make a difference.
The COVID-19 pandemic made something painfully clear: without access to technology, it’s almost impossible to participate in modern life. As work, school, and even healthcare moved online, the digital divide widened. The demand for affordable devices skyrocketed — and we did everything we could to meet it.
Our reduced worked extra hours and even hand-delivered some units when they weren’t refurbishing computers as quickly as possible. The messages that came in during that time reminded us why this work matters: parents trying to keep their kids learning, seniors feeling isolated, newcomers needing to connect to settlement services. Access to technology wasn’t just about convenience — it was about connection and survival.
Our impact depends on community, a community of donors, devoted staff and volunteers and partner organizations. People just like you. When you contribute to reBOOT Canada, you’re supporting digital equity, you can be part of this story.
Whatever your role, spread the word. Share our story. Every conversation helps more Canadians learn that digital access creates transformative opportunities.
Thirty years later, our mission is more relevant than ever. Technology continues to evolve, but our purpose remains the same: to connect people — not just to the internet, but to opportunity, community, and hope. When you give technology a second life, you’re really giving someone else a chance.
The Evolution of Purpose in Response to Need
1995
Problem
No protocol/process/logistic infrastructure exists for retired computer equipment.
Solution
Create a channel for recovery of equipment, refurbish and redeploy it to other charities for their operations.
2005
Problem
Seniors in long term care are isolated and left behind by lack of computer access.
Solution
Leveraging past work as platform, executing on the reCONNECT program across the country.
2015
Problem
Indigenous communities and individuals lack capacity and are too underserved by providers to sustain digital access.
Solution
Proactively outreach to engage Indigenous communities to lead the deployment of infrastructure, end user devices, skills development, and ongoing support.
2020
Problem
COVID-19 pandemic response triggers stay-at-home orders and aggressively forces work, study, and program access online.
Solution
Leverage computer sales and service, social enterprise, and skills development capacity to work directly with municipal-level governments to meet demand for personal computers for agency beneficiaries.
2025
Problem
Implementation of AI and LLMs pushes more program access to digital platform and widens gap between tech haves and have-nots.
Solution
Expand operations regionally to serve communities directly across the country.
2035 AND BEYOND
Problem
Low-income families face the most disruption from AI impacts on employment and climate vulnerability (ex: extreme weather events, flooding in coastal and ravine areas, and heatwaves will disproportionately impact lower-income families who have less mobility, insurance, and resources for adaptation).
Solution
Build out training and skills development to anticipate needs of an AI-equipped economy. Form durable partnerships with organizations that support climate change impact adaptation and mitigation.