Network Neutrality in the Great White North and its Impact on Canadian Culture

Abstract

This article contributes to the growing body of network neutrality literature by describing and commenting on recent developments in Canada. There have been and still are ongoing industry practices, regulatory policy proceedings, judicial decisions and pending litigation, and legislative proposals relevant to the issue of network neutrality in Canada. While most of the network neutrality literature has an economic focus, this paper dwells more on implications for Canadian culture. Though the dominant technological and economic discourses about issues like innovation and competition cannot be ignored, these are not the only paradigms with which to frame regulatory and other decision-making. Ultimately, this paper recommends a light-handed cultural policy response – one that clearly imposes neutrality obligations but does so in a principled rather than prescriptive manner.

Keywords: network neutrality, Canada, industry practices, regulatory policy proceedings, judicial decisions, pending litigation, legislative proposals, Canada, economic, culture, technological, economic discourses, Canadian culture, innovation, competition