TAKARA 1: Hello again, and welcome back to What’s Up With The Internet? - Canada’s internet podcast.

It’s brought to you by CIRA, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, which is building a trusted internet for Canadians.

This is the show where we put on our overalls, grab our toolbox and try to figure out just what is going on with the web - and how to make it better.

I’m your host Takara Small.

So, last time we talked about the urban/rural divide in internet access. Today we’re going to be sticking with the theme of the digital divide, but this time the economic one.

Most of us are aware that Canada has some of the highest internet prices in the world, and for some people it’s just one bill too many.

So whether it’s because of your location or your bank balance - missing out on the internet has the same isolating impact.

CLIP: (Ray Noyes cut about being lonely - 9 seconds)

TAKARA 2: It gets to the heart of the idea that access to the internet is a right, and not a privilege.

We’re not talking about not being able to stream Netflix or play Call of Duty online - this is keeping people out of jobs, education and healthcare.

Internet access is just one more space where the wealth gap plays out.

CLIP: (Record scratch SFX)

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TAKARA 3: Joel Templeman is one activist who’s been carrying the fight against this inequality, and he’s our first guest today.

Joel is the Executive Director of the Internet Society’s Manitoba Chapter.

CLIP: (Joel Templeman interview - 22 minutes)

TAKARA 4:  That was Joel Templeman from the Internet Society’s Manitoba Chapter.

So let’s hear from someone with personal experience of being left behind by Canada’s expensive internet.

Ray Noise lives in Ottawa - for years Ray had to do without home internet because he simply couldn’t afford it.

And it’s not just the wifi plan; there’s the cost of laptops, phones, and tablets to consider too.

He volunteers with the advocacy group Acorn - and they’ve been fighting for affordable internet for those on low incomes for years.

Ray is now online courtesy of Rogers’ Connected for Success scheme. It’s a program for low-income people, supported by the government. Other big providers like Telus and Bell have their own low-income plans now too. But are they enough?

Ray has been telling us about his experience of being priced out of internet access:

CLIP: (Ray Noyes interview - 15 minutes)

(Outro - start music)

TAKARA 5: Thanks to Ray for sharing his story with us.

Now, most people would agree that a big part of the reason our prices are so high, is because there really isn’t that much competition in the market.

That’s what we’re going to be looking at in our next episode.

CLIP: (Episode 3 cut - 6 seconds)

TAKARA 6: That’s next week, where we’ll be joined by tech commentator Paris Marx - and remember, if you have any questions or want to learn more about some of the organizations mentioned in this series, you can visit CIRA.ca/podcast

Please join us again next time, and thanks for listening!

[ENDS]