Many things are considered essential services for people – food, shelter, transportation. But what about the internet?

 

For many people, a web connection has become an essential part of life, but high costs mean some people can’t always afford it, says members of the non-profit group ACORN.

If you think your Internet bill is high, you’re in very good company.

 

A group is making one last push before today’s deadline on comments ahead of CRTC hearings on cheaper and faster Internet.

 

Melody Skoco with ACORN, a group advocating for low-income families, says many people like her who are on disability can’t afford to have Internet at home. That makes it tough to do basic things in life.

 

“Everybody needs Internet; it’s not just a social thing anymore,” she argues. “You need it for banking and it’s usually online, if you’re looking for a job.”

ACORN, an independent group of low and moderate-income families, is calling on the CRTC to make the internet affordable and accessible to everyone, since they believe it is a right rather than a luxury.

 

The group wants to see high speed internet available for just $10 per month and have a petition going to try and get the CRTC’s attention.

 

Melody Skoco with ACORN told News1130 that people who are on disability like her can’t afford internet at home, and it makes day-to-day life difficult.

 

“Everybody needs Internet; it’s not just a social thing anymore,” she said. “You need it for banking and it’s usually online, if you’re looking for a job.”

 

“Nowadays, Internet is so important. It’s so essential.”

Earlier this afternoon about ten members of the anti-poverty group ACORN held a rally in Dartmouth to bring attention to high costs of internet access and what that means for people on low income.

 

Katie Campbell was one of the people who attended the rally. She doesn't make a lot of money, she tells the Halifax Media Co-op.

 

“Internet access isn't just too expensive, it's simply prohibitive,” Campbell says. “It's cutting people off from things like online education, finding jobs, submitting your job applications and so on. It's also how you communicate with your friends and family.”