INFORMATION HIGHWAY PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCATES
The resources from the cable and telephone companies and other corporations lobbying for a
commercial advantage on the information highway have enormous resources. A small but growing
number of organizations are starting to advocate on behalf of the public interest. This is an initial
list of those organizations.
A number of groups and organizations share concerns about the impact that changes in
communications policies will have on social, political, cultural and economic activity in Canada. The
Alliance has been formed to promote basic human values and needs as the principles to guide the
public policy debate in the realm of communications.
B.C. Public Interest Advocacy Centre (B.C. PIAC)
#815 815 W. Hastings
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Phone: 604-687-3063
Fax: 604-682-7896
email: [email protected]
B.C. PIAC is a non-profit law office representing organizations and individuals in public interest
cases before the courts, administrative tribunals, and various levels of government. B.C. PIAC was
established in 1981 to help strengthen the voice of those affected by the actions of regulated
utilities, large business interests and government. We represent those who do not have the
resources to assert their interests. B.C. PIAC s representation enables groups to present their
cases effectively against government and corporate resources.
B.C. Coalition for Information Access (BCCIA)
c/o B.C. Library Association
Email: [email protected]
Composed of labour, library, cultural, FreeNet, community and advocacy organizations. Objectives
are to promote public understanding of information and telecommunication issues through education
and vigorous and open debate: develop and promote policies to direct telecommunication and
information policy towards the objectives of social equity and equality of opportunity; and promote
the broad and free distribution of government information. BCLA IFC has been very involved in the
B.C. Electronics Highway Accord.
The BCLA Information Policy Committee objectives are to monitor develops in information access
for BCLA; prepare discussion and position papers; and to establish liasions and coalitions with other
organizations to ensure that a concern for the "public good" is paramount in information policy
development by governments.
Canada's Coalition for Public Information
c/o Ontario Library Association
#303, 100 Lombard Street,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5C 1M3
Phone: 416-363-3388
Fax: 419-941-9581
800-387-1181
Email: [email protected], Stan Skrzezewski - CEO
[email protected], Maureen Cubberly, Deputy, CEO
URL: http://www.canarie.ca/cpi
Gopher: Listed under Canadian gophers
Canada's Coalition for Public Information (CPI) was formed in November 1993, as an initiative of
the Ontario Library Association, to provide the public with a voice in the debates about who gets
connected to the information highway, what the cost is, what kind of information is available, and
which rules apply. CPI works to ensure that the developing information and communications
infrastructure in Canada serves the public interest, focuses on human communication, and provides
universal access to information.
Canadian Library Association Task Force on Information Policy (CLA)
#602 - 200 Elgin St.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K2P 1L5
Phone: 613-232-9625
Fax: 613-563-9895
Email: [email protected]
Envoy100: CLAHQ
URL: http://www.uccb.ns.ca/cla96
The CLA taskforce on information policy is responsible for developing information and
telecommunication policy for the Canadian library community, assisting library organizations across
Canada to participate in information policy issues, and to work with other organizations in support
of the CLA Information and Telecommunication Access Principles. The CLA initiated and organizes
Information Rights Week.
Electronic Frontier Canada, Inc. (EFC)
attn: Jeffrey Shallit, VP @ Treasurer
20 Richmond Avenue,
Kitchener, Ont., Canada
N2G 1Y9
Phone: 905-525-9140 x24689 - David Jones - President
Fax: 905-546-9995
email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
URL: http://www.efc.ca
GopherURL gopher://insight.mcmaster.ca/11/org/efc
FTP URL: ftp://insight.mcmaster.ca/pub/efc
EFC was founded to ensure that the principles embodied in the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms are protected as new computing, communications, and information technologies emerge.
EFC is working to maintain privacy and other democratic values through shaping Canada's
computing and telecommunications infrastructure and policies.
HALT (Halt All Local Tolls) is a single purpose organization dedicated to creating public awareness
and focussed opposition to mandatory Local Measured Service in Canada. A major victory was won
when Bell Canada withdrew its proposed filing in favour of offering its customers a choice.
The Information Policy Research Project (IPRP) was established in June 1995 to undertake a
program of research and dissemination of knowledge about information policy development for the
Canadian information infrastructure. IPRP, in collaboration with the government, private sector, and
non-profit associations, will contribute public interest perspectives to the current policy development
discussions. IPRP is supported by a grant from the Social Science and Humanities Research
Council.
A coalition of over 60 consumer, seniors, and public interest groups across Canada fighting for
protection of basic telephone services at a reasonable cost. PATS is believed to the largest
consumer coalition in Canadian history.
The public function of PPC is to identify and publicize under-reported stories and thereby act as an
informal 'auditor' of Canada's national news media and their implicit claims to be 'watchdogs of
society', informing the public of significant issues.
The mailing list has been established to better facilitate communication among and between
interested individuals regarding the development of the information highway. This list will be used
for general discussion, dissemination and collection of relevant material, polling subscribers for their
opinions, lobbying strategy and more.
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
#1204, One Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 7B7
Phone: 613-562-4002
Fax: 613-562-0007
email: [email protected]
PIAC is a non-profit charitable corporation dedicated to helping ordinary Canadians be heard when
important decisions are being made. It represents consumer, poverty, and senior's groups at CRTC
hearings among others.
Telecommunities Canada seeks to ensure that all Canadians are able to participate in community-based
services by promoting and supporting local community network initiatives. It also seeks to represent and
promote the Canadian community networking movement at the national and international level.
This page last updated 18 April 1997.
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