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With 21 million Internet users, Canada is most-wired nation

NEWS RELEASE CANADIAN INTERNET REGISTRATION AUTHORITY *********************** Statistics show Web connects more than 21 million Canadians Poll conducted by Canadian Internet Registration Authority for One Web Day TORONTO - How has the Internet change
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NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN INTERNET REGISTRATION AUTHORITY

*********************** Statistics show Web connects more than 21 million Canadians

Poll conducted by Canadian Internet Registration Authority for One Web Day

TORONTO - How has the Internet changed the lives of Canadians? Findings from a recent national poll conducted by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) show that more then 85 per cent of respondents say that the Internet has removed geographical or financial boundaries in their daily lives and more than 55 per cent are more interested in the world around them.

Timed to celebrate the first-ever, One Web Day on September 22, a global initiative designed to honour the Internet and highlight its positive impact on the lives of individuals, businesses and communities - the One Web Day Tour was spearheaded by CIRA to connect the more than 21 million Canadians online, either surfing, e-mailing or cybering and discover the impact of the Internet in the daily lives of Canadians.

Hosted by Canadian-born video/film writer and producer, Gavin Michael Booth, the tour visited 12 communities across the country to interview and shoot video footage of Canadians sharing their online experiences and discussing the value of the Internet.

Tour stopsincluded locations in Whitehorse, Yukon; Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Toronto, Ontario; Ottawa, Ontario, Montreal, Quebec; Moncton, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown PEI, and St. John's, Newfoundland.

The informal poll results and footage are posted online at www.onewebday.ca or www.journeeweb.ca to coincide with the celebration of One Web Day, this Friday September 22.

Connecting Canadians online According to ComScore Media Metrix, Canada has the highest number of Internet users as a percentage of its total population, compared with the U.K. or U.S. (approximately 60 per cent reach, State of Nation, Oct. 05).

The one clear theme that emerged from the One Web Day poll is that the value of the Internet is one of connecting Canadians.

When asked, "how has the Internet changed your life?" more than half (55 percent) responded that they have more friends or are more interested in the world around them.

Others answered "...they have found people who share their views on life: (7.41 per cent) and that "...they can share what they do with the world" (11.11 per cent). When asked "who the most interesting person you have met online," more than 40 per cent answered they have met a significant other, while another 20 per cent responded that they had met a new friend.

More than half of Canadians polled (64.29 per cent) named geographical boundaries were removed as a result of going online, and they are now able to connect with people far away.

More than one third (37.93 per cent) responded they could connect with friends without incurring large telephone bills.

Interestingly, ComScore lists adults 55 years and over as the fastest growing age group of Internet users in Canada (x 47 per cent increase 2001 - 2004, State of the Nation).

Internet and work: a changing workplace According to the CIRA poll, more than 85 per cent agreed that the Internet enables them to keep in touch with people far away, while also enabling them to earn a living.

As a result of the Internet, more than 22 per cent of Canadians are able to work from home more often. Interestingly, 26 per cent of people polled said they wouldn't have a job if the Internet didn't exist, while more than 11 per cent said they'd have to commute if there was no Internet.

When asked "what can you do now that you couldn't do before the Internet?" more than one-quarter responded they could work without going into the office.

The educational value of the Internet is apparent, as more than one quarter of Canadians polled said they'd have to go to a library for research, without the Internet.

Also, Canadians polled are using the Internet for commerce, either selling personal belongings online at auction sites or on their own websites (25 per cent) or advertising online (17.86 per cent).

Interestingly, only 12.86 per cent complained of getting e-mails late at night.

"The One Web Day Tour poll results show us that the Web is truly about connecting Canadians for both work and play, and that we are one of the world's most connected nations," says Bernard Turcotte, president and CEO, CIRA.

"We want to connect the country for the upcoming One Web Day as part of the international celebration of the Internet, and we encourage everyone to log onto www.onewebday.ca to get involved and share their views, post a comment or learn what the Internet means to other Canadians," he adds.

About CIRA

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is the not-for-profit organization mandated by the federal government to operate the dot-ca top-level domain for all Canadians.

CIRA is responsible for setting policy and managing the 735,000 plus dot-ca Internet domain name registry, as well as registering domain names through its network of Certified Registrars.

CIRA also develops and carries out other Internet-related activities in Canada.

Additional information about CIRA and is available at www.cira.ca

One Web Day media information is available at www.onewebday.ca or www.journeeweb.ca

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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