Canadians, Start Counting Your Bytes

So the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission approved a measure that allows internet providers to instate usage based billing (UBB). This means Canadians could be charged for their internet usage per byte.

On one hand this might decrease my dependency on facebook-- significantly. On the other hand, I spend a fair amount of time researching academic journals online. While the libraries at my disposal again and again prove their immense value, some of the stuff is just online (and of course only accessible because of the fantastic library systems here).

A Question or Two

What does this mean for the burgeoning field of digital humanities in Canada? Will digital innovation become more expensive, more difficult to engage in because more funding is required?

What does this mean for activist organizations that use the internet to engage a larger community, to advertise events, to hold forums across the nation and the globe?

What does this mean for libraries, institutions already stretched thin for funding, that provide free internet access?

What does this mean for people who need to use free internet resources in order to apply for jobs, apply for income assistance, search for housing?

Safe guards?

Luckily, in Canada, the government seems keen on safe guards. What this means for independent internet providers in Canada is that they only get a 15% discount on the rates from the major internet providers, inhibiting the abilities of smaller internet providers to sell competitive rate packages. Okay, even the safe guards aren't that great.

What can I do? Let Your "Voice" Be Heard:

So check out this site and sign the petition with openmedia. The CRTC has also received videos and letters from concerned Canadians. Productive and constructive creativity is encouraged!