Category Archives: Consumer tech
Ontario law allowing employees to disconnect from technology after hours kicks in
TORONTO — Ontario's right to disconnect policy comes into effect today. Here's what you need to know: What happened? Late last year, the province enacted Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021, that requires employers with 25 or more people on staff
Five Things: Why Canada is banning Huawei from participating in Canada’s 5G network
The federal government is banning China's Huawei Technologies from involvement in Canada's 5G wireless network. Here's a primer on what led up to this decision and what you need to know about this next-generation wireless technology: What is 5G? 5G tec...
Livestreamed mass shooting shows more internet regulations needed: experts
WINNIPEG — David Shanks felt a familiar sense of distress as he learned a video was quickly spreading online depicting a mass shooting in a Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket. Only three years ago, Shanks was faced with the question of how to
Musk’s free speech plans for Twitter to face challenges from governments: expert
TORONTO — Canada and governments around the world could scuttle Elon Musk's plans to ease restrictions on Twitter in the name of free speech, say social media and anti-hate experts. They believe Musk, a self-described "free speech absolutist" whose US...
Canadian songwriters made on average $67 in royalties from digital platforms in 2021
OTTAWA — The body representing Canada's songwriters and composers has revealed that on average musicians writing their own material earned only $67 last year in royalties from domestic streaming services. SOCAN, which collects the royalties of musicia...
‘Creative way to make a point’: Alberta premier defends using slap meme of actor
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is defending the use of a meme from the Oscars as a contemporary way to draw attention to what he considers failing green energy policies. The meme, shared widely online, is a photo of actor
Every part of B.C. to have high-speed internet by 2027, government says
VICTORIA — The federal and British Columbia governments are spending $830 million to provide access to high-speed internet across the province. In a news release, the province says the plan means many First Nations communities will have high-speed inte...
Health tech companies face too many challenges breaking into Canada: entrepreneurs
TORONTO — Chris Albinson is frustrated. The chief executive at Waterloo, Ont. innovation hub Communitech has spent much of the pandemic hearing about hospitals worried about dwindling inventories of COVID-19 tests, while companies less than 80 kilometr...
TekSavvy seeks leave with Federal Court of Appeal to overturn CRTC decision
CHATHAM, Ont. — TekSavvy Solutions Inc. says it is seeking leave to appeal the CRTC's recent decision about wholesale internet prices. The independent internet provider says it filed a motion by Monday's deadline with the Federal Court of Appeal. The m...
Clock runs out for Tory-led debate over internet bill’s impact on freedoms
OTTAWA — The minority Liberal government pushed forward a key piece of its legislative agenda Friday, as a House of Commons committee wrapped up clause-by-clause review of a bill to give Canada more regulatory power over digital streaming platforms. Bi...