Conservatives Silent on Rising Internet Fees

CPC Shuts Out Canadians by Refusing to Answer All-Party Survey

April 26, 2011 – The Conservative Party is refusing to respond to questions about Internet governance that were put forward by non-partisan citizen engagement group OpenMedia.ca. While the other major parties have gone on record by answering the all-party Digital Future Survey, the CPC has repeatedly refused to respond.

“Canadians are paying some of the highest Internet fees and for some of the slowest service,” said OpenMedia.ca founder Steve Anderson. “This has to change.”

Anderson continued: “In refusing to answer the Digital Future Survey, the Conservatives risk losing the pro-Internet vote on May 2nd. In the 21st century citizens expect more from their representatives.”

Later this week, OpenMedia.ca will release the results of the survey, including responses from all other major parties. OpenMedia.ca’s goal is to provide a clear illustration of where each party stands on key digital policies so Canadians can make an informed decision when they go to the polls.

When asked to clarify their position, the Conservatives told Canadians to look to the past, but the price-gouging they addressed in recent months is only a symptom of years of policy neglect.

Citizens have been clear: they want to know where the parties stand. Going forward, voters expect every party to articulate a vision for Canada’s digital future.

Canadians can write to their Conservative candidates and request answers at http://openmedia.ca/conservatives.

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Contact

Lindsey Pinto
Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca
778-238-7710
[email protected]

About OpenMedia.ca

OpenMedia.ca is a national, non-partisan, non-profit public engagement organization working to advance and support an open and innovative communications system in Canada. Our primary goal is to increase public awareness and informed participation in Canadian media, cultural, information, and telecommunications policy formation. OpenMedia.ca is Canada’s biggest citizens organization.

About Stop The Meter

In October, Canadians were outraged by the news that the CRTC had decided to allow Bell and other big Internet service providers (ISPs) to impose new fees on independent ISPs – usage-based billing. Now every Internet user in Canada is likely to feel the sting of a less affordable Internet, and a less competitive Internet service market. Recognizing the importance of this issue, OpenMedia.ca launched the Stop The Meter campaign.

Since its inception, this multi-platform petition, based at http://www.StopTheMeter.ca and in French at http://openmedia.ca/compteur, has become a record breaker and a game changer. Nearly 485,000 have signed the petition.