January 31, 2011

More Conservative Taxes – Internet Usage Fees

By admin

The Conservatives cut the GST a couple of points and transfer the political cost of implementing the HST to the provinces.

They raise Employment Insurance premiums.

They cancel the benefits of Income Trusts.

They create the largest deficit in Canadian history, generating hundreds of millions in new interest payments.

And, as of last week, Tony Clement and the rest of the crew decided to allow their friends with communications giants Bell and Rogers to hike internet usage fees.

These hikes will drastically increase the cost of communications in Canada and every day use and access to the Internet.  It will stifle innovation, kill businesses that rely on the Internet and put us in the ‘digital dark ages’ for a long time to come.

It’s gone too far.  These ‘backdoor’ tax increases are unacceptable and our opposition leaders must call for an election.

If you’re not sure about what the outcome might be, give Hosni a call.  Oh yeah … he has NO internet.

To take action against metred usage fees for the Internet, consider the following approaches (and be sure to share):

  • www.stopthemeter.ca – signing the petition will now automatically send our Minister of Industry, Tony Clement, the person politically responsible for the CRTC, an email.
  • Join the Facebook campaign http://www.facebook.com/notes/openmediaca/stop-the-meter-on-your-internet-use/455248704798
  • Pull the plug on satellite/cable.  If you’re still a TV viewer, get with it and cut out a major monthly expense.
  • Find a small ISP.  They still have to play by Bell’s rules, but at least you won’t be paying Bell directly.
  • Cancel your newspaper and magazine subscriptions.  Most of Canada’s print media are owned directly or indirectly by cable and satellite companies.  Terminating your subscription will hurt their cash flow, save a few trees and end your exposure to media lies.