For release October 31st 2013

Thursday, October 23, 2013

MEDIA ADVISORY: ACORN Members Will Release a HORROR Report rating Cell and Internet Companies; Demanding Affordable Access to the Digital World
ACORN Canada undertook a survey with our membership across the country focused on the telecommunications industry and customer satisfaction. The results from the 285 participants are HORRIFYING. ACORN Canada members are demanding that Internet companies stop the horror. Specifically: $10/month high speed internet and subsidized computers for people below the LIM. According to a Statistics Canada survey 54% of households in the lowest quartile of $30,000 or less do not have home Internet access. This digital divide excludes low-income individuals and families from what the United Nations now considers to be a human right, comparable with freedom of speech. Internet is an essential service it needs to be affordable for all residents. Our kids need internet to do homework, and because many parents cant afford it they have to do homework at the library. This is just one example of how low income families have a financial barrier to digital participation (Kay Bisnath, President ACORN Canada) The new CRTCs wireless code of conduct that comes into effect on December 2 completely misses the reality that low income families can barely afford to participate in the digital world. The government should not be legitimizing this expensive access point; they need to lower the bar to remove a barrier to participation. ACORN members are also demanding that the CRTC enhance the conditions they set out when they auction off the spectrum in January to include $10/month high speed internet and subsidized computers for people below the LIM. They have set strong rural deployment conditions but are neglecting low income consumers! More info contact: canadaacorn@acorncanada.org 416 996 6401
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ACORN Members are holding HORROR Actions across the country ( Gatineau, Halifax, Metro Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto). Local Details below What: ACORN Canada members releasing Telecommunications HORROR Report

Metro Vancouver -When: Thursday, October 31st at 12pm (noon) Where: Telus Corporate Head Offices, 3777 Kingsway, Burnaby (corner of Kingsway and Boundary Rd, 5 minutes walk from Patterson Station)

Halifax -When: Thursday, October 31st at 12pm (noon) Where: Outside the Bell Aliant Building, 1505 Barrington St., Halifax (corner of Barrington and Spring Garden) Gatineau When/Quand: Thursday, October 31st at 2pm/Jeudi le 31 octobre 14heures Where/Ou: 140 Promenade de Portage (corner of Laval St./ au coin de la rue Laval) Phone: (613) 746-5999, Email: gatineau@acorncanada.org Ottawa When: Thursday, October 31st at 12pm (noon)/ Le jeudi 31 octobre 12h00 (midi) Where/Ou: 78 O'Connor Street, Ottawa ON (Albert and O'Connor/ au btiment Bell, au coin des rues O'Connor et Albert) At 1:30PM the action will move together via bus (tickets available upon request) to Place Portage (Federal Government Buildings) in Gatineau to meet the Gatineau members and to pressure the federal government. Toronto When: Thursday, October 31st at 12pm (noon) Where: The Bell Store, 2323 Yonge St. (one block north of Eglinton on the east side of Yonge) More info contact: canadaacorn@acorncanada.org 416 996 6401

ACORN Canada - the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Canada - is among the nation's largest organizations of low- and moderate-income families, with over 51,000 members in more than 20 communities working together for social and economic justice.