The CRTC wants to hear from YOU!!!
Many have noted that the CRTC’s public comment system is difficult to use and seems to be set up for organizations and businesses (“Stakeholders”) rather than the general public. We found our way around it by setting up an easy to use system that the public can use to fax their input to the CRTC. Perhaps in response to the cumulative efforts of organizations, groups, and individuals who have helped garner more and more comments to the CRTC, they have set up a public online consultation website to facilitate public input around a variety of topics pertaining to the open Internet. http://isppractices.econsultation.ca/
Whereas in February, the CRTC allowed individuals and organizations to submit their comments on traffic management (over 11,000 were submitted), they have now put forth a series of questions to which anyone can respond. This is a positive first step on the part of the CRTC however; we hope that they may take further strides in moving toward a more democratic process by allowing the public to define the questions themselves in the future.
We also hope that the CRTC will take this hearing as an opportunity not just to solicit feedback, but to go where the public is, both online and offline. The upcoming “open Internet town hall meetings” taking place in several cities across Canada is one such opportunity, as are the raging online discussions happening on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. True openness in public policy requires more than seeking out input, it requires public consultation on the terms of the public.
That said, the CRTC should be commended for this import first step, and this is a great chance for all of us to let the CRTC know that the people of Canada want a free and open Internet. The Internet is no longer just a technology, but rather a basic component of our society and essential to every aspect of our lives.
Get in on the conversation: http://isppractices.econsultation.ca/
Recommendations for comments:
We think the CRTC will take our comments more seriously if they are well thought out and based on factual evidence.
Get the facts from our Fact VS Fiction Report
Check out a joint CIPPIC/CDM submission with testimony from network technology experts: http://www.democraticmedia.ca/blog-entry/crtc-must-rule-favor-network-ne...
Find points about traffic management and innovation in Steve Anderson’s article “Who Will Control Our Digital Soul?”
And view our FAQ`s on net neutrality here: http://saveournet.ca/content/faq
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