ADVOCATE

Cybera frequently advocates for improvements to the quality and availability of digital services in Canada.

There is currently a lack of high-quality, high-speed and affordable digital services across Canada. We are working to change this. Teaming up with government, education, and the private sector, Cybera is creating a community that champions vital networking and computing services and utilities for everyone, everywhere.

Examples of Cybera’s Advocacy Efforts

  • Advising the provincial government on its long-term information and communication technology infrastructure plans.
  • Participating in federal proceedings on the future of broadband connectivity in Canada.
  • Advising communities as they build their broadband policy frameworks.
  • Participating in community network pilots.
  • Delivering presentations on digital literacy and access.
  • Championing shared services, network expansions, IPv6, and internet efficiencies at a local and international level.
  • Participating in international coalitions on internet governance.

Advocacy news

How CRTC flip-flop on wholesale internet will hurt consumers

By Imran Mohiuddin | June 1, 2021

Last week, in a move that has already negatively impacted consumer internet costs in Canada, the CRTC reversed it’s 2019 decision to lower the rates charged by large ISPs to wholesale service providers for access to their networks. Wholesale internet providers, such as TekSavvy and Distributel, will now have to pay the higher, pre-2019 rates […]

Cybera’s take on Canada signing the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement

By Imran Mohiuddin | May 5, 2021

On May 3, 2021, Cybera submitted its response to Global Affairs Canada’s consultation on Canada’s possible accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).  The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement is a new international trade policy instrument that aims to address the transborder governance of a number of emerging digital economy issues. Initiated by Chile, New […]

Federal Budget 2021 invests in research, connectivity and data governance

By Imran Mohiuddin | April 26, 2021

On April 19, the federal government tabled its 2021 budget: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience. The first federal budget tabled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it contained a number of economic measures to address Canada’s path to recovery over the next year and onwards, including expansions to the federal wage […]

Canada’s new privacy bill – what it means for Canadians

By Imran Mohiuddin | November 19, 2020

This past Tuesday, November 17, the federal government announced it was tabling Bill C-11, the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA). This bill represents a significant shift in privacy legislation in Canada. It follows a period of public consultations initiated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), including last year’s calls for comments on the modernization […]

Cybera’s response to CRTC investigation on disaggregated wholesale access

By Imran Mohiuddin | October 6, 2020

On June 11, 2020, the CRTC issued a Call for comments – Appropriate network configuration for disaggregated wholesale high-speed access services. Their goal was to address a number of outstanding issues related to the Commission’s earlier decision (2015-326) to move Canada’s wholesale high speed access regime from a disaggregated to an aggregated model.  Under the previous, […]

Canada’s Throne Speech made big internet promises. Now for the delivery.

By Barb Carra, President & CEO | September 29, 2020

Last week’s Speech from the Throne included many ambitious promises for supporting Canadians as they transition through COVID-19 and adapt to the needs of a 21st Century digital economy. From Cybera’s perspective, one of the more interesting goals mentioned in the speech related to improving connectivity in the country: “The Government will accelerate the connectivity timelines and […]

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