The Federal Conservatives have released a rural Internet policy.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo says we know all too well that there are significant gaps in our region, especially now during the coronavirus crisis.
“But given the fact that people are working from home, people are taking classes from home, or accessing government services. Right now during the COVID-19 pandemic, it just underscores how necessary it is to have reliable Internet connections.”
The Conservative Opposition’s Rural Internet Caucus policy document outlines how the government can improve Internet access in rural and remote regions and includes 14 recommendations.
Melillo says the government hasn’t taken a lot of action on the issue and he is hoping they take the recommendations seriously.
He calls them “Tangible and achievable measures that will help hundreds of Canadians.”
They include:
1. Alleviate short-term bandwidth shortages by requesting that ISP’s or other entities deploy portable Cell on Wheels in communities without Internet.
2. Develop a Canadian Broadband Strategy for rural Internet.
3. Create a Local Connectivity Infrastructure Fund.
4. Stop Big Telecom’s from profiting off of small business government funds.
5. Mandate transparency and accountability.
6. Require simple consumer contracts.
7. Implement a Municipal Ownership Model.
8. Changes to Spectrum Auctioning.
9. Addressing infrastructure concerns.
10. Provide industry-specific relief in light of COVID-19.
11. Extend deadlines for CRTC applications
12. Protect consumers and competition against predatory regional pricing.
13. Incentivize rural build outs through licensing.
14. Government investment according to an improved, results-oriented framework.
Conservative Eric Melillo also has presented the government with a petition that has been signed by hundreds of Canadians calling for action.
To hear more, visit the Audio link below.
