(For Immediate Release)

A broad cross-section of Canadians have formed the Alliance for a Connected Canada. The group's purpose is to ensure that basic citizens' interests and needs are the primary focus in the public policy debate about Canada's Information Highway. "There's been a lot of hype about the possibilities. Now we'd like to talk about the concrete steps that have to be taken to meet Canadians' needs in the development of the Information Highway" said Andrew Reddick, spokesperson for one of the founding members, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).

The alliance brings together groups representing Canadians from a number of sectors in Canada. These groups will work together to:

• promote vigorous and open debate, and public understanding of communications policy issues;
• take concerted action to shape Canada's communication policies;
• influence the design and evolution of basic and enhanced networks and electronic public spaces, with social equity and equality of opportunity as priorities;
• present policies that represent the public interest in the construction of the Information Highway.

This alliance will reflect the position of ordinary Canadians. It will address issues including:

• The quality and availability of telephone, cable, broadcasting and network services;
• The provision of these services, where and at what cost;
• Increasing quality employment opportunities necessary for a decent standard of living;
• The expression and availability of Canadian culture and information at the national and community levels;
• The protection of individual privacy and personal data.

"Our concern is that our communications and cultural industries are increasingly being turned over to the private sector, with little public accountability," said Maude Barlow, National Volunteer Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. "If that's allowed to continue, then Canadian culture and content will find little voice on the new Information Highway."

Sid Shniad of the Telecommunications Workers Union said, "all alliance members have a shared interest in these policy issues. Government decisions relating to Information Highway development, access, affordability and content will also affect the quality of existing jobs, the prospect for employment in the telecommunications sector and beyond, and whether the jobs of the future will be created in sufficient numbers and pay a sufficient wage that Canadians will continue to enjoy a decent standard of living".

The first task of this alliance will be to ask the CRTC for public hearings to define "basic and essential" services with respect to telephone and broadcasting/cable services as well as evolving information highway services. This should include mechanisms to review and revamp these definitions as technology evolves. "The policy decisions being made now by the CRTC are affecting the availability and costs of services which have become essential for Canadians" said Marie Valle of FNACQ. "Basic services should be the cornerstones of new policies, not an afterthought.

The groups involved already represent three million Canadians. Among the founding members of this alliance are the Telecommunications Workers Union, the Coalition for Public Information, Telecommunities Canada, La Federation Nationale des Associations de Consommateurs du Quebec (FNACQ) and the Council of Canadians. "We expect to double that number by Christmas" said Marita Moll, co-organizer of the Public Information Highway Advisory Council (P-IHAC). "Canadians have sent strong signals to governments and government agencies at all levels that the quality and availability of basic telephone, cable, broadcasting and network services are a matter of national concern. Our social, political and cultural life depends on it!"

For further information contact:

Andrew Reddick
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Tel: 613-562-4002
Fax: 613-562-0007
E-mail: [email protected]

Sid Shniad
Telecommunications Workers Union
Tel: 604-437-4822
Fax: 604-435-7760
E-mail: [email protected]

Stan Skrzeszewski
The Coalition for Public Information
Tel: 519-473-7651
Fax: 416-941-9581
E-mail: [email protected]

Marita Moll
The Public Information Highway Advisory Council
Tel: 613-232-1505
Fax: 613-232-1886
Email: [email protected]

Garth Graham
Telecommunities Canada
Tel: 613-253-3497
Fax: 613-253-1215
E-mail: [email protected]

Marie Valle
La Federation Nationale des Associations de Consommateurs du Quebec
Tel: 514-521-6820
Fax: 514-521-0736

Andrew Clement
Information Policy Research Group
University of Toronto
Tel: 416-978-3111
Fax: 416-971-1399
Email: [email protected]

Dave Robinson
Council of Canadians
Tel: 613-233-2773
Fax: 233-6776
Email: [email protected]

Mark Surman
Information Highway Working Group
Tel: 416-596-0212, x15
Fax: 416-596-1374
Email: [email protected]

Liss Jeffrey
McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology
Tel: 416-978-7026
Fax:416-978-5324
Email: [email protected]

Copyright © 1995 BCLA Information Policy Committee

Back to Information Policy Home Page