QUEEN’S PARK – This morning, the Ontario NDP hosted the second round of province-wide consultations on solutions to lower phone bills, spearheaded by MPP Tom Rakocevic, Official Opposition critic for Consumer Protection. Today’s hearings featured telecom experts and consumers from Northeastern Ontario.
“Ontarians pay some of the highest internet and cellular rates on earth,” said Rakocevic. “Access to reliable phone and internet services is not a luxury but a necessity of modern life. Together we are looking for solutions that will make life more affordable for all Ontarians.”
This is the second in a series of province- wide consultations that the NDP has held which heard from consumers, telecom experts, and industry on ways to improve telecommunications in Ontario. Rakocevic was joined by NDP MPPs Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk—James Bay), France Gélinas (Nickel Belt), John Vanthof (Timiskaming—Cochrane), and Jamie West (Sudbury).
“Northern Ontarians often face significant challenges in accessing reliable, affordable services, especially in rural areas,” said Vanthof, NDP critic for Rural Affairs. “Everyone relies on these services for connection, work, education, essential services, and safety – affordable access in Ontario’s Northeast is long overdue.”
Additional hearings and consultations will take place throughout the summer and into the fall. New dates will be announced at: https://www.tomrakocevicmpp.ca/telecom
Today's consultation can be viewed at this link.
Quick Facts:
- Northern Ontarians and those living in rural areas are disproportionately impacted, excluded from opportunities and services.
- Lack of investment and focus on ensuring fair and equitable access to reliable high-speed internet to First Nations across the province has contributed directly to economic inequity.
- At year-end 2021 as reported by the CRTC shows that 99.22 per cent of households in urban areas had access to the minimum high-speed connectivity, while the rates are much lower for rural (57.1 per cent) and First Nations (33.41 per cent) communities.
- Only 33.41 per cent of households in First Nations communities in Ontario have access to the minimum connection speeds. That is unacceptable and shameful.