THUNDER BAY – Yesterday, the Leader of the Official Opposition, Marit Stiles, was joined by NDP MPPs Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay-Superior North), Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) and Tom Rakocevic (Humber River-Black Creek) for a consultation to address the issue of unaffordable internet and phone bills in Northwestern Ontario along with a lack of services at all in many areas.
"It's unbelievable how we're paying some of the highest prices for cell phones and internet here in Ontario," said Stiles. “And guess what? There are places in our province, especially in the North, where folks still can't get good, fast internet or cell service. That's just not right. We're not giving up, though. We're on a mission to figure out ways to ensure everyone can access and afford good internet and cell service. It's time to fix this unfair digital divide holding back Northern communities."
The MPPs engaged with telecom experts and heard directly from folks in Northwestern Ontario to gather valuable insights and recommendations. The overwhelming sentiment from people was that high telecommunication bills place a heavy burden on Ontarians, especially those in rural regions.
"The residents of Northwestern Ontario face unique challenges when it comes to accessing affordable and reliable services, especially in rural and some First Nations," added Mamakwa. "We need to ensure everyone can get good internet and cell service, no matter where they live, especially in those big areas that get left out and forgotten, like up North."
"This consultation presented an opportunity for us to listen to the concerns of our constituents, understand the issues they face, and work towards finding tangible solutions that can provide the missing services and alleviate the financial burden," said Vaugeois. "The cost of doing business up North has been too high for too long. There is most definitely a role for the province to play in making these services available and affordable for all Ontarians.
Today's consultation was part of a province-wide series initiated by the NDP, which aims to gather valuable input from consumers, telecom experts, and industry representatives regarding improving telecommunications in Ontario. These consultations will continue throughout the summer and into the fall, with further dates and locations to be announced.
"Having good cell service and dependable internet isn't too much to ask for– it's something everyone should have," Rakocevic emphasized. "Think about it – we use them to stay close to family, do our jobs, for safety, school, and much more. But the way things are set up, a handful of big companies can charge way too much, making it challenging for regular Ontario residents to afford. We've got to change that. "
To stay informed, please visit: https://www.tomrakocevicmpp.ca/telecom