MEDIA RELEASE - Canadians across the country need affordable Internet services

The pandemic has shown how much people depend on Internet and cellphone services to stay connected, work and study. The reality is that Canadians are tired and frustrated from paying high fees for Internet services that make big, rich telecommunications companies even richer. They feel like they are being ripped off, especially people who are struggling to get by with the cost of groceries, gas for their cars and other bills pilling up.

Today's announcement is a first step, but government eligibility criteria still excludes many low-income families and seniors who depend on Internet services.

Since Justin Trudeau came to power, instead of taking action to reduce internet charges, his government has protected the monopoly and profits of telecom giants at the expense of the people who pay some of the highest fees in the world.

April 4th, 2022

Canadians across the country need affordable Internet services

NDP Critic for Innovation, Science and Industry, Brian Masse, issued the following statement:

“The pandemic has shown how much people depend on Internet and cellphone services to stay connected, work and study. The reality is that Canadians are tired and frustrated from paying high fees for Internet services that make big, rich telecommunications companies even richer. They feel like they are being ripped off, especially people who are struggling to get by with the cost of groceries, gas for their cars and other bills pilling up.

Today's announcement is a first step, but government eligibility criteria still excludes many low-income families and seniors who depend on Internet services.

Since Justin Trudeau came to power, instead of taking action to reduce internet charges, his government has protected the monopoly and profits of telecom giants at the expense of the people who pay some of the highest fees in the world.

Over the past six years that Justin Trudeau has been in power, his government has paid large telecommunications companies hundreds of millions of dollars in government subsidies and contracts. The Liberals haven't been doing what is needed to reduce the cost of cell phone and Internet services for Canadians.

The NDP is fighting for people and supporting a mandatory universal low-cost Internet/wireless plan for this essential service as many other countries have already done.

We will continue to push for the Liberals to stand up to big telecoms, end the CRTC ruling that favors big telcoms over consumers, and to make sure this essential service is affordable. and accessible to all Canadians.”

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