The number of cell phone complaints increased this year by 35% – a spike that can be attributed to Big Telecom’s tightening grip over over our communications. But there is good news, as Canada’s communications policy makers at the CRTC have invited Canadian input in future decision-making. Speak out and
Continue readingTag: Front Page
OpenMedia.ca: The Tyee: Police won’t say if they use cell phone surveillance technology
After last week’s push to revive invasive Online Spying Bill C-30, police are now refusing to comment on whether they have accessed Canadians’ cell phone data without a warrant. Call on your MP to speak out against this intrusive expansion of surveillance powers at OpenMedia.ca/Stand. Article by Andrew MacLeod for
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Canadians spooked by cell phone service
As we encourage Canadians continue to share their CellPhoneHorrorStory.ca, your support has helped in getting the attention of policy makers and producing media coverage nationwide. The CRTC is taking notice of what you have to say, so we’re rallying your voices to get even louder. Share your horror stories and
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: We Must Continue | Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca
Hello, Here’s Lindsey with your update: read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: This Halloween, Canadians use social media campaign to speak out about scary cell phone service
HorrorStory-Halloween_PriceGouging.jpg October 31, 2012 – OpenMedia.ca knows that Canadians find their cell phone providers ghoulish; now the grassroots group is trying to determine which type of cell phone horror haunts our nation the most. Is it long-term contracts with terrifying termination fees? Ghastly customer service? Or is it blood-sucking, price-gouging
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Epoch Times: Wireless complaints are on the rise
In a report released last week, Canada’s cell phone services received the notable dishonour of having the most complaints out of any telecommunications service. It’s time for these concerns with our broken telecom market to be addressed by the CRTC. Share your story through our online tool CellPhoneHorrorStory.ca and let’s
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Law enforcement chiefs call for return of Online Spying Bill
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has called on the government to revive the invasive Online Spying Bill C-30, granting warrantless access to the private data of citizens. Law-abiding Canadians shouldn’t have to compromise their online security and privacy. If our police chiefs and government want to target criminals,
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The Globe and Mail: CRTC chief aims to gain the trust of Canadians
In the wake of Canadians speaking out to StopTheTakeover.ca, CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais is emphasizing the importance of earning Canadians’ trust and input in future decision-making. Let’s ensure that this pledge to serving the public interest stands. Show the CRTC that Canadians are stuck in an unfair and expensive cell
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The Globe and Mail: How to cut your Internet-phone bill
We’re making progress in having a transparent review of Big Telecom’s pricing practices for independent providers, but Canadian citizens are still being overcharged for everyday services. Let’s move forward together and put Big Telecom’s price-gouging behind us. Make the pledge to switch to an independent provider using our online tool
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Another victory for Canadians as CRTC calls for increased transparency
A CRTC decision came down on Friday for more transparency to how Big Telecom assigns wholesale rates and pricing. This is another sign of progress for the +500,000 Canadian citizens who spoke out through StopTheMeter.ca. Use our online tool at OpenMedia.ca/Switch to find independent providers in your area and read
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The Gazette: Big Telecom ordered to open their books
After thousands of Canadians spoke out against Big Telecom’s price-gouging through StopTheMeter.ca, the CRTC has announced a decision that will lead to more transparency in Internet service costs. As Canadians get closer to finding out the true costs behind our Internet services, we’re also getting closer to a levelled playing
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Update: Controversial CETA Negotiations Hurtling Towards Conclusion
We’ve been keeping you updated on the developing concerns over the Canada- EU Trade Agreement (CETA), and today is the last day of what may well be its final round of negotiations. We still know very little about what is actually in this agreement, and whether the restrictive Anti-Counterfeiting Trade
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: CRTC pushes Big Telecom to be more transparent, to set the stage for more choice for Canadians
Tariffs_100x100_120117.png Pro-Internet community lauds CRTC decision to open up Big Telecom’s costing process October 26, 2012 – The CRTC announced today that Big Telecom will have to make more of its costing process public. Much of the “confidential” information submitted by Big Telecom to establish wholesale rates will now be
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Thanks for asking us anything!
What do you get when you round up an enthusiastic group of digital rights experts, online innovators and advocates of Net Freedom – all with the purpose of taking any and all questions from members of the Internet community? If yesterday’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit is to be
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: A Win: Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca
Hello, Here’s Lindsey with your update: read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Michael Geist: TPP copyright laws could dismantle Canadian content
While Canada has been formally included as a negotiating party in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, more information from secretive texts and clauses is beginning to surface. We’ve talked about how the TPP will restrict Internet access, criminalize and fine your actions online and collect your private data – but
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: We’re hosting a Reddit AMA – join us!
We’re on Reddit today from 9AM – 7PM EST talking about Internet freedom, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and what comes next for our StopTheTrap.net campaign. Throughout the day, we’ll be joined by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Professor Michael Geist and various digital rights experts from Electronic Frontier Foundation, Public Knowledge, InternetNZ,
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: What’s the Deal? Demand Transparency for the TPP
Canada has officially joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, and has done so as a second-tier partner, meaning that we have had to accept, sight-unseen, the provisions that have already been negotiated. As Ottawa law professor Michael Geist put it in an interview with the Vancouver Sun, “just by entering into
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Media Advisory: Bell plays hardball with Canadians, asks Cabinet to change broadcasting rules after public interest decision
Takeover_210x150_120816.png WHO: Steve Anderson, Executive Director, OpenMedia.ca Lindsey Pinto, Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca Janet Lo, Legal Counsel, Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) John Lawford, Executive Director and General Counsel, PIAC WHAT: Telecom giant Bell is trying to unilaterally change Canada’s broadcasting rules so it can take over Astral Media, one of
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: CRTC’s Bell-Astral Decision Signals Welcome Shift Towards Transparency
Last week, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ruled against Bell’s proposed $3.4B takeover of Astral Media. Following a very public hearing last month, the Commission announced that Bell had not proven that this deal would benefit the broadcasting system or be in the public interest. We are awaiting
Continue reading