The federal government needs to take action to assess how escalating phone, internet and television bills are affecting Canadians, especially those earning the least income, a new study on affordability says.

Canadians are spending between $100 and $212 a month per household on communications services, according to the report issued Monday by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), an Ottawa-based consumer advocacy group.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2015, ACORN members from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal traveled to Google Headquarters in two cities (Toronto and Montreal) to demand Google Fiber come to Canada and include affordable internet service for low income families! Members presented letters at both locations, demanding a meeting to discuss Google Fiber coming to Canada. Google has responded to us on Twitter -"@ACORNCanada We're on the same (web)page! The internet is a huge enabler & we're working hard to improve access around the world." - and members are eager to hear back with a proposed meeting date.

November 18, 2014 was ACORN Canada’s National Day of Action to Close the Digital Divide! Members were out in force to demand $10/month Internet for people below the low-income measure, plus subsidized computers.

From doing homework to getting tax forms the Internet is a basic part of life that many low-income families can't afford!

Carrying laptops made out of cardboard and posters, around 25 members of social justice group Ottawa Acorn rallied at the Shaw Centre Wednesday afternoon calling for more affordable Internet rates for low income residents.

For low-income residents who can’t afford smartphones or tablets, Surrey’s plan to provide free Wi-Fi at dozens of hot spots around the city won’t be much help in their search for affordable Internet access.

Advocates from B.C. Acorn are calling on the city to go one step further in its deal with Shaw and install hot spots at public housing sites as well.