Hundreds of thousands of low-income seniors and families will soon benefit from $20-per-month high-speed internet as part of a partnership between the federal government and more than a dozen internet service providers, CBC News has learned.

Families receiving the maximum amount under the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and seniors receiving the maximum under the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) will be eligible for internet with speeds of up to 50 megabits-per-second (Mbps) and 10 Mbps upload, or the fastest available speed in their region. 

An announcement is expected on Monday, a government source says.

Posted March 16, 2022

Aleasa Hurl is a social butterfly.

In the five-minute walk home from school, the seven-year-old chatters excitedly about classmates, the big owl eyes on her knit tuque and a favourite recipe from a kids’ cookbook.

At home, she travels from room to room showing off her belongings — thrifted Polly Pockets, family photo albums, a beloved Minnie Mouse pillow and Tupperware containers crammed with books — and pets, Thomas, a shepherd mix rescue from Mexico, and Charlie, an orange tabby cat.

She is animated when she talks about teachers and friends at Lake Avenue Elementary School, down the street from their two-bedroom apartment in a Stoney Creek highrise building.

Drums and cheering could be heard outside Ottawa City Hall on Nov. 16 as ACORN members and other activists advocated for the recognition of internet access as a human right.

As the world moves into a digital sphere, internet rights advocates say many people are being left behind in the transition.

ACORN Ottawa led the rally at Marion Dewar Plaza, along with members of the Ottawa Carleton  Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and Ottawa Catholic Teachers.

Rogers Communications (Rogers) met with Canadian telecoms regulator CRTC to make its case for its $26 billion merger with Shaw Communications (Shaw).

During the hearing Edward Rogers (pictured), chairman of the Roger's board of directors said that the deal will enhance competition.

"Canada is no longer an island. We participate in a global industry, with global platforms that bring Canadians and people all over the world wonderful new products and services. However, they can also pose a challenge to Canadian companies and Canadian culture," he said.

Yesterday, November 16th, ACORN Ottawa gathered with allies and community members in front of City Hall to call for improved education province-wide and affordable internet access in Ottawa. Some notable contributors included Jeff Leiper, City Councillor for Kitchissippi Ward; Jessica and Joanis and Darby Mallory, students of the University of Ottawa and Carleton respectively; Julie Guèvremont, Secondary Vice-President of the Ottawa Catholic Teachers Union; Stephen Skoutajan, Vice-President of Ottawa-Carleton ETFO; as well as  our very own storied members Pascal Kakule, Ray Noyes, Norma-Jean & Morgan Quibell.