Canada Stands Up for Open, Accessible Internet

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 13, 2012) - Over the past two weeks, Canada has been participating in the World Conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai to develop an updated set of international telecommunication regulations.

"Canada believes in a secure, stable and resilient Internet that enables rapid innovation and delivers benefits for Canadians," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry. "The current multi-stakeholder, private sector-led model promotes innovation and the development of new digital industries."

With many like-minded countries, Canada endeavoured to reach consensus on new International Telecommunication Union regulations that recognized advances in telecommunications while maintaining an open, accessible Internet. The final treaty text tabled in Dubai included provisions that threaten these freedoms and, as a result, Canada and many other nations were unable to sign on to these new regulations.

"Our government will continue to support an open and accessible Internet that facilitates economic development and prosperity," added Minister Paradis.