The Net: Net Neutrality – Why We Should All Be Concerned

The issue of Net Neutrality is a growing concern to independent media websites, bloggers and Internet users across Canada and across North America. As the giant Internet Providers in each country move to controlling and charging for the Internet we asked two of Canada’s opposition party leaders what they think.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff

The Liberal Party of Canada supports the principles of net neutrality and an open and competitive Internet environment. We believe that in a free and open democracy in the 21st century, in an innovative and progressive economy, no tool is more paramount than the Internet.

The issue of net neutrality is a global one and internet management should be neutral and not be permitted for anti-competitive behaviour nor should it target certain websites, users, providers or legitimate software applications. We must protect the openness and freedom of the internet, and maintain competition to spur innovation, improve service levels and reduce costs to users.”

Currently, no laws in Canada exist regulating the flow of Internet traffic.

We have repeatedly asked the Harper Conservatives whether they support net neutrality but so far they have refused to answer the question. Thank you for taking the time to write to the Leader of the Opposition.

Yours sincerely,

Office of Michael Ignatieff

Leader of the Opposition

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NDP Leader Jack Layton

Canada`s New Democrats believe fair and open access to internet data is
a cornerstone of the growing digital economy. Like you, we fully support
implementing “net neutrality” to protect the right of Canadians to
freely access the internet content of their choice at a flat rate and
with clear and transparent rules in place.

We have called on the CRTC to conduct regular compliance audits of ISP
traffic management practices. Our position is in reaction to a decision
by the CRTC allowing ISPs to throttle the internet traffic of
competitors or end users as they see fit. When this decision was made,
NDP Digital Affairs critic Charlie Angus said, “Basically the CRTC has
left the wolves in charge of the henhouse. ISP giants have been given
the green light to shape traffic on the internet in favour of their
corporate interests. This decision is a huge blow to the future
competitiveness of the internet.”

You can read more here:
http://www.ndp.ca/press/crtc-drops-ball-on-internet-freedom.

Additionally, Mr. Angus has introduced specific legislation to address
net neutrality. Bill C-398, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act
(Internet neutrality), aims to amend the Telecommunications Act to
prohibit telecommunications service providers from engaging in network
management practices that favour, degrade or prioritize any content,
application or service transmitted over a broadband network based on its
source, ownership, destination or type, subject to certain exceptions.

This enactment also prohibits telecommunications service providers from
preventing a user from attaching any device to their network and
requires telecommunications service providers to make information about
the user’s access to the Internet available to the user.

You can review the text and timeline of the Bill C-398 by visiting:
http://www2.parl.ga.ca/Sites/LOP/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&query=58
43&Session=22&List=toc.

Again, I appreciate knowing of your support for fair and open internet
access. Please visit our website at www.ndp.ca to learn the latest about
our team of New Democrats.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats

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Background
Net News: Google/Verizon ‘End To Net Neutrality’ Deal Vilified
Net News: Will Google Verizon Deal End The Free Web?
The Net: Supreme Court Rules ISPs Not ‘Communicators’
The Net: Telecom Foreign Ownership Rules – What About Our Open Access
Issues: The CRTC And The New Media
Issues: Help Keep Canada’s Internet Open