CRTC Fails to Protect Canadians

SaveOurNet.ca coalition urges action to save the open Internet in Canada

OTTAWA , Oct. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The SaveOurNet.ca coalition, a broad alliance of groups fighting for a free and open Internet, is calling today's CRTC decision on traffic management (Net Neutrality) a step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough to protect online innovation and consumer choice.

The CRTC's ruling comes despite broad consensus that meaningful and enforceable rules are needed to protect the open Internet in Canada . Both the Liberal and New Democratic Parties have publicly advocated for Net Neutrality, as have leading businesses and consumers rights groups. Thousands of Canadians support Net Neutrality and many have voiced their opinions directly to their Members of Parliament and to the CRTC itself.

While the CRTC's ruling provides more transparency and sets out a framework for consumers to use in taking action against Internet service providers they feel are violating their rights, it does not go far enough in protecting consumer rights. In order to protect the Internet's level playing field, either the CRTC or parliament will need to take a more proactive approach.

The SaveOurNet.ca coalition hopes that leaders within the major political parties will take this opportunity to move the widely supported campaign for Net Neutrality forward by introducing legislation that would ensure Canadians have access to a free and open Internet. SaveOurNet.ca National Co-odinator Steve Anderson said today that, "This ruling is a step in the right direction, but there is certainly more work to be done to ensure Canadians have open access to all the Internet has to offer."

Ben Lewis of the Canadian Federation of Students stated that, "the Internet represents an important technology for learning, for communicating, and for creating, but in order for university and college students to take advantage of these technologies and further their studies, Internet service providers should not be allowed to prioritize the Internet resources to which students have access." The ability to access and browse the Internet freely, without undue interference, is critical if Canadians are going to take advantage of the resources and innovations available online.

"The Internet should be a commons that prioritizes equitable access to information over commercialization," says Dylan Penner , Media Officer with the Council of Canadians. "Given the growing number of media outlets in crisis, net neutrality is an increasingly essential principle for ensuring public participation in what can and must be a much more democratic media system."

For further information: Steve Anderson, National Coordinator, SaveOurNet.ca, [phone], [email protected]; Ben Lewis, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Federation of Students, [phone], [email protected]; Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, [phone], [email protected]