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As Canada works to bridge the digital gap across all of its 10 million square kilometres, a new report shows that even in urban centres like Toronto, a good chunk of people are still dealing with slow internet or none at all. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/20/imagine-covid-19-with-crappy-internet-for-2-out-of-5-people-in-toronto-its-a-stark-reality.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=GTA&utm_content=no-slow-internet
38% of Toronto households don’t have internet that is up to speed with Canada’s 50 megabits per second (mbps) download target. That is a notable when the web delivers critical health communication, school and work access. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/20/imagine-covid-19-with-crappy-internet-for-2-out-of-5-people-in-toronto-its-a-stark-reality.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=GTA&utm_content=no-slow-internet
Of those who said they don’t have access to home internet at all, 61% it has affected their ability to access critical services: COVID-19 public health announcements, information about business closures, how to access CERB and education programs. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/20/imagine-covid-19-with-crappy-internet-for-2-out-of-5-people-in-toronto-its-a-stark-reality.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=GTA&utm_content=no-slow-internet
Two of the major barriers to accessing home internet are the cost of the service or access to a device. And cost worries are divided across income and race. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/20/imagine-covid-19-with-crappy-internet-for-2-out-of-5-people-in-toronto-its-a-stark-reality.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=GTA&utm_content=no-slow-internet
42% of respondents without internet at home say they rely on the public library for use and, overall, 16% used libraries to get online - a reminder that such spaces can’t be forgotten about as we respond to the pandemic. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/20/imagine-covid-19-with-crappy-internet-for-2-out-of-5-people-in-toronto-its-a-stark-reality.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=GTA&utm_content=no-slow-internet
