Industry Minister Refuses to Respond to Report, Coalition Renews Campaign

October 14, 2010 - Yesterday Industry Minister Tony Clement refused to answer questions posed by CBC News regarding the key digital issue, Net Neutrality. CBC News put the question to Clement following the release of a SaveOurNet Coalition report entitled, Internet Openness - Where Do the Parties Stand?

The report was cited on the Liberal Party of Canada website and in an NDP press release. Both parties confirmed that they are in favour of Net Neutrality legislation in Canada.

Instead of letting Canadians know where the government stands on Net Neutrality, Clement again pointed to his long-overdue work on Canada's Digital Economy Strategy, announcing that he would release an interim report on November 22. The MP has been using this excuse for nearly a year and half, and Canadians are fed up with his refusal to answer rudimentary questions about the preservation of Internet openness.

Clement did, however, use Twitter to acknowledge for the first time that Net Neutrality is an important issue. 

Fueled by public frustration over Clement's refusal to directly address the Coalition’s questions, the CBC News story, Tories' lack of net neutrality stance attacked, quickly became the most recommended and viewed story on CBC.ca’s Technology page.

The SaveOurNet Coalition is renewing its campaign urging citizens write Clement to demand that he take a stand in favour of Net Neutrality. Canadians can send letters through the Coalition's website at http://saveournet.ca/action.

The Coalition continues to ask the Industry Minister two very basic yet essential questions:

1. Do you support Charlie Angus’ Bill C-398? If not, will you put together your own net neutrality legislation?
2. Will you and the Conservative Party of Canada support a call for the CRTC to conduct regular ISP compliance audits?

SaveOurNet.ca National Coordinator, Steve Anderson said today, "Clement's refusal to let the country know where he stands on Internet openness is an insult to not only the Coalition, but also to Canadians in general."

Citizens are encouraged to join the campaign at http://saveournet.ca/action

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Contact
Lindsey Pinto
Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca
778-238-7710
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