[7][8][9] TC was conceived as an organization to represent the non-profit community networks of various kinds that had sprung up in that early period of the internet.

The organization quickly filled the role of reviewing and consulting on the internet policies of the Canadian federal government, while passing on best practices to its member local providers.

[1][3] The Canadian federal government department responsible for internet policy, Industry Canada, launched its Community Access Program (CAP) in 1995 and TC was invited to be on its national advisory council.

[3][13] Many programs developed by local community providers were expanded and spread to other parts of the country under TC's umbrella.

The organization was also involved in all the phases of the Information Highway Advisory Council and the Blue Ribbon Panel on Smart Communities.

[3][17] The organization has also participated in the Canadian Research Alliance for Community Innovation and Networking's (CRACIN) 2003-2005 study of federal government programs used to promote public access and development of internet services.

This three-year study was supported by a C$1M grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and involved two TC board members.