Canada: Trudeau “very concerned about the attacks on net neutrality”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is none too pleased with the American plan to dismantle net neutrality.

Speaking to reporters, Trudeau said the US Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) plan to roll back Obama-era legislation barring Internet service providers from slowing down or blocking consumer access to content was deeply worrisome.

“I am very concerned about the attacks on net neutrality,” he said Wednesday, November 23. “Net neutrality is something that is essential for small businesses, for consumers, it’s essential to keep the freedom associated with the Internet alive.”

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the Commission will hold a vote on December 14 on the initiative, which will almost surely pass because three of the five commissioners are Republicans. US President Donald Trump has long opposed net neutrality, calling it an Obama “power grab” as far back as 2014.

The American plan has attracted widespread opposition from Silicon Valley, with a group representing Google parent company Alphabet and Facebook urging the FCC to drop plans to scrap net neutrality. Many argue that without neutrality enshrined in law, incumbent Internet providers will threaten the very openness of the Internet.

Full Content: CTV News

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