Media Advisory: ACORN Demands Affordable Access to the Digital World at Toronto and Ottawa Actions: New Halloween HORROR Report Exposes Ghoulish Cell and Internet Companies

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 31, 2013) - ACORN Canada undertook a survey with our membership across the country focused on the telecommunications industry and customer satisfaction. The results from the 284 participants are HORRIFYING. ACORN Canada members are demanding that Internet companies stop the horror. Specifically: $10/month high speed internet and subsidized computers for people below the LIM.

LINK to Telecom HORROR Report:
https://www.acorncanada.org/resource/acorn-canadas-telecom-horror-report

When: Thursday, October 31st at 12.15pm

Where: Toronto - The Bell Store, 2323 Yonge St. (one block north of Eglinton on the east side of Yonge)

Photo-Opportunity: Costumed protestors haunt retail ghouls at Halloween action

This is a part of ACORN Canada's Day of Action. ACORN Members will also be doing actions in BC, Nova Scotia Ottawa and Quebec.

According to a Statistics Canada survey 54% of households in the lowest quartile of $30,000 or less do not have home Internet access. This "digital divide" excludes low-income individuals and families from what the United Nations now considers to be a human right, comparable with freedom of speech.

"Internet is an essential service it needs to be affordable for all residents. Our kids need internet to do homework, and because many parents can't afford it they have to do homework at the library. This is just one example of how low income families have a financial barrier to digital participation" (Kay Bisnath, President ACORN Canada)

CRTC's new wireless code of conduct comes into effect on December 2^nd, but completely misses the reality that low income families can barely afford to participate in the digital world. The government should not be legitimizing this expensive access point; they need to lower the bar to remove a barrier to participation.

ACORN Canada - the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Canada - is among the nation's largest organizations of low- and moderate-income families, with over 51,000 members in more than 20 communities working together for social and economic justice.