FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GATINEAU, July 4, 2018 – The Canadian Federation of Library Associations/Fédération
canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) applauds the federal
government’s response to the “Protection of Net Neutrality in Canada” report from the
Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
The report, and the government’s support, emphasized the need to ensure the
continuation of net neutrality in Canada.
“Net Neutrality is a vital underpinning of the universal access to information and
knowledge that our organization strives for,” said Alix-Rae Stefanko, Chair of CFLA-FCAB.
“In our digital world, net neutrality is a crucial principle of equity.”
The government’s response highlighted its commitment to support principles of net
neutrality in telecommunications services, particularly through the Telecommunications
Act. The government has also supported motion M-168, which indicated the need to
uphold standards of net neutrality that are globally recognized.
CFLA-FCAB is also pleased to see the government is committed to ensure that
international regimes will not inhibit Canada’s position on net neutrality noting “The
Government of Canada is mindful of the concerns of Canadian enterprises and citizens
over the recent changes in the United States (US) to its net neutrality regime and will
seek to address with the US any situation whereby a Canadian enterprise is negatively
affected by the traffic management practices of a US ISP.“1
A comprehensive framework for net neutrality should be implemented that reflects the
government’s support. As governments, businesses, civil society groups and private
citizens move more data and activities to web-based platforms and more products
and services go online, action is needed to ensure the governments support translates
into legislative and regulatory reality.
“Committee members and the government understand that Net Neutrality will limit the
tendency toward monopolistic behaviour by service providers and other web-based [1
See https://www.ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/421/ETHI/GovResponse/RP9998948/
421_ETHI_Rpt14_GR/421_ETHI_Rpt14_GR-e.pdf], last accessed June 29, 2018.
companies,” added Stefanko. “We need to preserve an online ecosystem that creates
opportunity for learning, innovation, and dialogue for all Canadians as our society
becomes increasingly integrated and the internet becomes ubiquitous in our daily lives,”
she added.
The Canadian Federation of Library Associations/Fédération Canadienne des
associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) is the national voice of Canada’s library
associations. Our purpose is to advance library excellence in Canada, champion library
values and the value of libraries and influence national and international public policy impacting libraries and their communities.
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For more information please contact:
Katherine McColgan
Executive Director
613.867.7789
kmccolgan@cfla-fcab.ca