OTTAWA - NDP Digital Issues Critic, Charlie Angus (Timmins – James Bay), says that today’s CRTC decision on Net Neutrality is a blow to the protection of an open internet in Canada. The decision validates the internet service providers’ (ISPs) practice of unilaterally deciding what constitutes ‘reasonable network management,’ despite the fact that they stand to gain financially from the unfair practice.

“Whether it’s throttling the internet, imposing unfair text message fees or price gouging on cell-phone rates, it seems Canadian telcos can count on the backing of this government,” Angus said. “CRTC is applying outdated rules that this government has refused to change, leaving the average consumer and emerging business models at the mercy of the Telecom Giants.”

Angus says the decision will hurt efforts for maintaining an open and neutral internet infrastructure. He does, however, welcome the CRTC's promise to engage in a further investigation of network management practices in Canada.

“The next round of this fight starts today,” Angus said. “The CRTC failed in its first chance to stand up to an agenda that is anti-competitive, anti-innovation, and anti-consumer, but the fight for fair and transparent internet management will continue to grow.”

In the last parliament, Angus introduced bill C-552, the first piece of legislation in Canada that would prevent telecommunication giants from arbitrarily throttling internet traffic in an unreasonable way.

“What’s at stake with Net Neutrality is the future of the innovation agenda in Canada,” said Angus. “Plainly speaking, the Telco Giants have shown that padding their bottom line is far more important than making sure Canada stays on the cutting edge of innovation.”

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For More Information: Parliamentary Office of Charlie Angus, Jeremy Huws - 613-992-3165