Net neutrality – the idea that the internet should be universally accessible to everyone without internet service providers deciding on levels and speeds of access – is shaping up to be an important media activist battle, especially for those of us who rely on the internet to produce alternative, independent media such as this very blog you’re reading.
SaveOurNet.ca, the grassroots group working to keep the internet free from corporate interference, is holding a series of town hall meetings in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver to bring folks together to discuss the issue of net neutrality and the future of the internet. The meetings will be streamed live at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 8, at theREALnews.com, rabble.ca, TheTyee, Beyond Robson, and SaveOurNet.ca.
If you’d like to attend in person, see the details for each meeting, below (plus, there’s a dance party in Vancouver!)
The Future of the Internet: Access, Openness, and Inclusion
A Town Hall Discussion
Open Internet Town Hall Meeting
Monday June 8, 2009, 7:00pm – The Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. West, Toronto)
Speakers include:
Mark Surman – Executive Director, Mozilla Foundation
Olivia Chow – Member of Parliament (NDP)
Steve Anderson – Co-founder, SaveOurNet.ca
Rocky Gaudrault – CEO, Teksavvy Solutions Inc.
Derek Blackadder – National Representative with CUPE
Special Guests:
* Jesse Brown – Search Engine * David Skinner – Communications Professor, York University * Kim Elliot – Rabble.ca * Mark Kuznicki – remarkk consultant, Dan O’Brien – ACTRA * Ben Lewis – Canadian Federation of Students, *Wayne Mcphail - w8nc
REGISTER TO RESERVE A SEAT
Open Internet Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday June 10, 2009, 7:00pm – Ottawa Public Library Main Branch (120 Metcalfe St)
Speakers include:
Michael Geist – law professor at the University of Ottawa where he is
Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, blogger
Charlie Angus – NDP MP, Heritage and Culture
Rocky Gaudrault – CEO, Teksavvy Solutions Inc.
Jacob Glick – Canada Policy Counsel, Google Canada
Introduction by Steve Anderson – Co-founder, SaveOurNet.ca
Discussion Facilitator: Marita Moll – TeleCommunities Canada
Special guests:
* Mike Gifford – founder of Open Concept Consulting Inc * Leslie Regan Shade – Communications Professor, Concordia University * Graham Cox – Canadian Federation of Students
REGISTER TO RESERVE A SEAT
Open Internet Town Hall Meeting
Saturday June 20, 2009, tbd – Session at Vancouver ChangeCamp, BCIT
Downtown Campus (555 Seymour St)
Speakers include:
Rocky Gaudrault – CEO, Teksavvy Solutions Inc.
Steve Anderson – Co-founder, SaveOurNet.ca
More to come…
REGISTER TO RESERVE A SEAT
SaveOurNet.ca Internet Dance Party
Saturday June 20, 2009, 6:00pm – 2:00am – Gallery Gachet, Vancouver
Canada’s FIRST live Internet Dance Party: SaveOurNet.ca is hosting an Internet Dance Party as both a fundraiser for SaveOurNet.ca and the official after party for VanChangeCamp http://vanchangecamp.eventbrite.com/
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Social & Film Screening / 8:00pm - 2:00am - Internet
Dance Party
Special Guests:
Quest Poetics feat: Mello Black, Mario Vaira, & DJ Hayze
More guests to be announced soon!
ONLINE REGISTRATION
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