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.
Telecommunications Landscape Assessments
Government Review Responses
Advocacy news
New white paper addresses the connectivity crisis in Alberta
The current COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the connectivity issues faced by rural Albertans. There is an opportunity for the provincial government, and large internet service providers (ISPs), to work together to fix this problem, now. Our policy team has developed a white paper highlighting the current need in the province, and proposing actionable next steps […]
Research proves the connectivity barriers faced by Indigenous communities are very real, and very limiting
The ConnectIN project was a two-year pilot project evaluating the internet connectivity in First Nations communities in BC, Alberta and Manitoba. Led by three First Nations’ regional technology organizations, and facilitated by Cybera, the goal of this project was to better assess gaps in infrastructure and services. ConnectIN wrapped up in February 2020. In this post, we […]
Cybera’s response to the Competition Bureau’s review of anti-competitive conduct in the digital economy
Last week, Cybera submitted a response to the Competition Bureau’s call for comments on anti-competitive conduct in the digital economy. In its discussion document, the Competition Bureau called attention to the increasing market concentration of certain core digital markets, including digital platforms such as Facebook and Google. The Bureau noted the role that big data […]
Cybera’s response to telco petition to increase wholesale internet rates
Last week, Canada’s largest telecommunications providers, including Bell, Rogers and Telus, petitioned the federal government to reverse the CRTC’s August 2019 decision to lower wholesale rates. These rates are what the large telecommunication firms charge to resellers to provide internet services. In its August 2019 decision, the CRTC stated that; “The Commission considers that the […]
Data transfers and consumer privacy part two: Cybera’s response to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
In early September, Cybera submitted its response to a consultation by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada on the modernization of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). (This followed our August submission to an Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) consultation on transfers for processing.) Comments were requested on a number […]
In places with no internet connectivity, Alberta libraries offer a lifeline
When you look at the total geographic region that the Peace Library System covers, you get a good sense of some of the challenges faced by its IT Services Manager, Janet Ayles. Peace Library basically serves the entire top-left corner of Alberta. With 46 libraries spread over 238,000 square kilometres, Ayles sees a broad range […]