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
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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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.ca: Breaking – We want a restart to flawed Bill C-51, not tinkering
c51_thumbsdown.png March 27, 2015: News that the government will admit up to ten amendments to Bill C-51 has been given a cautious welcome by community-based organization OpenMedia, which is campaigning to scrap the bill. However the amendments will not go anywhere near far enough to address serious concerns about the
Continue readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.ca: Government’s Facebook mass spying plan will further erode privacy of law-abiding Canadians
ProtectOurPrivacy403_2.png Media reports this morning have revealed that the federal government is building an expansive Social Media Monitoring system to collect, store, and analyze what Canadians say on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.ca: Android Headlines: three is NOT the magic number for wireless carriers
This piece on a high-profile U.S. website shows that word is spreading fast about Canada’s broken wireless market. Canadians are tired of the high prices and lack of choice that are holding back our digital economy. Tell Industry Minister Moore its time to rein in our telecom giants at https://openmedia.ca/gatekeepers.
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Wireless price-hikes! OK who’s running the show here: Big Telecom or the government?
In February, Industry Minister James Moore announced that the government has heard our voices, and promised that everyday Canadians would soon experience lower costs and greater choice in our broken mobile phone and Internet market. In March, less than a month later, Canada’s Big Telecom cartel jacks up prices across
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Strahl resignation underlines need for total overhaul of spy agency oversight
PoP_FBShare_130926.png Responding to news that Chuck Strahl has resigned as Chair of the Security Intelligence Review Committee, OpenMedia.ca Executive Director Steve Anderson said: “Today’s news is welcome, because all of us can agree that publicly funded government watchdogs should not be employed by those connected to the agencies they are
Continue readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.ca: Their secret revealed
It’s worse – much worse – than we thought. A bombshell leak by Wikileaks just revealed how giant U.S. conglomerates are about to impose an extreme Internet censorship plan that will wreck Canada’s digital future. They’re trying to wrap this up — we have to stop this right now. Tell
Continue readingOpenMedia.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 readingOpenMedia.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
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