OpenMedia.ca: Final TPP text threatens Internet freedom and will force Canada to overhaul copyright – but will Trudeau go along?

tppreleased_720.jpg Final text includes provisions to censor the Internet, rob the public domain, and force Canada to import U.S.-style copyright rules  November 5, 2015 – Over a month since a deal was first announced, the full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement has finally been revealed. The text, published today

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Litmus test for new government as Big Telecom threatens future of affordable Internet service in Canada

computer-crtc.jpg Bell Canada is calling on the new federal Cabinet to overturn pro-customer CRTC requirements to ensure Canadians can access high-speed independent providers October 21, 2015 – This morning it was reported that Bell Canada (BCE Inc.) is challenging a landmark CRTC decision that promised fair access to fibre Internet

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: WikiLeaks release of TPP Intellectual Property chapter confirms agreement threatens Canada’s Internet freedom

tpp-leak.jpg Confirmed: retroactive 20 year copyright term extensions, new rules that would induce ISPs to block websites, and criminal penalties for the circumvention of digital locks October 9, 2015 – This morning, WikiLeaks released the final version of the TPP’s Intellectual Property Chapter, just days after Trade Minister Ed Fast’s

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Media Advisory: June 3 is Cell Phone Freedom Day: new mobile phone customer protection rules come into effect for 2–4 million Canadians

cpfd-blogv2.png Code contains significant customer protections for mobile phone and Internet users, including an end to 3-year contracts, and caps on roaming charges for data   Image credit: Mobile Phones And Abercrombie by Garry Knight (CC BY-NC 2.0) https://flic.kr/ps/8e5AR WHO: Josh Tabish, Campaigns Manager, OpenMedia David Christopher, Communications Manager, OpenMedia

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Obama Administration to provide citizens with faster, cheaper Internet while Canada falls behind

US_LTTE_fbshare.png Internet advocates celebrate Obama’s move, and point to it as the type of action required to get Canada’s Internet rates and speeds on par with global counterparts. January 14, 2015 – Internet advocates are celebrating this afternoon’s announcement from the Obama Administration pushing for common-sense steps to stop U.S.

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Confirmed: Shaw rings in 2015 by charging higher prices for slower Internet

confirmed-shaw.png January 6, 2015 – Shaw today confirmed that it will be charging higher prices for slower Internet in 2015. Concerned Internet users warned of these price hikes back in December and confirmation today has sparked outrage online. The changes mean that new customers will need to choose between getting slower Internet speeds, or paying more for

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: New report from CRTC confirms Canadian telecom sector remains dominated by large conglomerates, keeping prices high and blocking Canadians from new affordable options

UnblockCanada_fbshare.jpg Despite promises from government to encourage greater choice and affordability, new report confirms Canadians are still being price-gouged by telecom giants October 16, 2014 – On the heels of recent official confirmation that the Big Three are keeping wireless prices artificially high, the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Leaked draft confirms TPP will censor Internet and stifle Free Expression worldwide

NewLeakedDraft_TPP.png October 16, 2014 – This morning Wikileaks published a second leaked draft of the Intellectual Property chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The draft confirms people’s worst fears about Internet censorship. That’s according to community-based organization OpenMedia, which is leading a large international Fair Deal Coalition aimed at securing

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Government’s digital strategy props up Big Telecom giants at expense of rural Canadians

gatekeepers-share_1.png In response to this morning’s announcement by Industry Minister James Moore regarding funding for Internet service providers (ISPs) looking to expand broadband services into rural and remote parts of Canada, OpenMedia.ca Campaigns Coordinator, Josh Tabish, said: “While we welcome any measure that would improve Internet service for rural Canadians

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Efforts to deliver greater wireless choice and lower prices start to pay off, as indie cell phone provider Wind secures investment to become fourth national carrier

gatekeepers-share_2-1.png News of $300m in new investment into Wind follows multi-year campaign that secured customer safeguards, new wireless rules, and a more level playing field for independent wireless providers. September 15, 2014 – Canadians can look forward to lower wireless prices and improved choice, after it was revealed today that

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: Prevented Telus/Mobilicity takeover is welcome news, but more govt action needed to level playing field and ensure wireless choice

Screen Shot 2014-05-21 at 12.05.42 PM.png Affordable, independent providers are struggling because of years of a history of regulatory coddling of Big Telecom, says OpenMedia.ca May 21, 2014 – The withdrawal of Telus’ bid to take over Mobilicity is welcome news for Canadian wireless users, but more government action needed

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: OpenMedia.ca concerned “cyberbullying” legislation will unnecessarily erode the privacy of law-abiding Canadians

OpenMedia_CA_248x208.png Legislation includes invasive elements of the government’s discredited online spying Bill C-30 that was canned earlier this year after 150,000 Canadians spoke out November 20, 2013 – Today Justice Minister Peter MacKay introduced legislation that many hoped would focus on tackling the serious issue of cyberbullying. It appears that

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: BREAKING: Leaked documents reveal Canadian government being pressured by US to accept extreme Internet censorship proposals in the TPP

sayno-og_share.png Proposed secret transnational Internet censorship courts would override Canadian law and restrict freedom of expression online. November 13, 2013 – This morning WikiLeaks released secret documents that have confirmed an extreme Internet censorship plan is being pushed behind closed doors as part of the International Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Continue reading

OpenMedia.ca: MEDIA ADVISORY: Telecom complaints soar by 31% in just twelve months, OpenMedia.ca available for comment

openmedialogo.jpg Canadians still waiting to see whether government lives up to promise to secure more choice and lower prices in broken telecom market WHO Steve Anderson, Executive Director, OpenMedia.ca David Christopher, Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca. (778-232-1858, david@openmedia.ca) WHAT The Annual Report of Canada’s Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services have revealed

Continue reading