Over 250,000 people shape action plan to save the Internet

Over 250,000 people shape action plan to save the Internet

Digital rights group OpenMedia releases comprehensive election platform packed with ideas crowdsourced from Canadians

August 27, 2015 – It's as if the entire city of London Ontario banded together to save the Internet. Shaped by more than 250,000 people and launching today, Canada's Digital Future is a crowd-sourced election platform packed with ideas from everyday citizens. It’s an initiative of digital rights group Openmedia, which is urging people to consider Canada's digital future when casting their vote this election.

While OpenMedia won’t be endorsing any political party, it does plan to meet the main parties and report back as to which are most committed to implementing its platform. Thousands of people have already pledged to vote for the future of the Internet in the upcoming election.

“Whether it’s telecom price-gouging, reckless spying legislation, or abusive copyright notices, failed digital policies are hurting Canadians,” said OpenMedia’s communications manager David Christopher. “Young people in particular are speaking up for a better way forward, because Canada can’t afford to keep falling behind our international counterparts. That’s why this election will be the most important Canadian Internet users have ever faced.”

Digital rights issues have featured prominently in the media recent times. Bill C-51 has sparked nationwide protests. Thousands of Canadians have received threatening and misleading copyright demand letters. And the high cost of Internet and cell phone service has been a recurring bugbear for telecom customers.

Almost 300,000 Canadians have spoken out against draconian Bill C-51; over half-a-million have demanded more affordable Internet and cell phone access; and over 100,000 have stood up for free expression.

The last election was decided by only 6,200 votes. With over half-a-million engaged Canadians, the OpenMedia community has the power to impact the outcome of this election, and is working to make the future of our digital communications a key issue.

Learn more at OurDigitalFuture.ca/platform (en français: OurDigitalFuture.ca/programme)

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