By the Numbers: The digital divide

Toronto – February 27, 2016 – A new study reveals that low-income Canadians are having to reduce their spending on essential items like food and housing in order to pay for another necessity – the Internet.

The "digital divide" between those who have home Internet versus those that do not puts many low-income families at a disadvantage when it comes to access to education, employment, and government services. There is a growing consensus that the digital gap is linked to socio-economic exclusion as well as poverty. In 2011, the United Nations declared Internet access as a human right, putting it on par with the right to freedom of expression.

17%

The percentage of Canadian households that do not have home Internet access.

8%

The percentage of survey respondents who don't have home Internet service or have cancelled it due to high cost.

58%

The percentage of Canadian households with annual incomes of $30,000 or less with home Internet access.

98%

The percentage of Canadian households with annual incomes of $120,000 or more with home Internet access.

83.5%

The percentage of survey respondents who find the price of high-speed Internet as being "extremely expensive "

59%

The percentage of respondents who pay for Internet by forgoing other household necessities.

71%

The percentage of survey respondents who have used food money to pay for Internet services.

13%

The percentage of survey respondents who have used rent money to pay for Internet services.

Sources: Statistics Canada - Canadian Internet Use Survey, 2012, Acorn Canada - Internet for All, Toronto Star