Statistics Canada has released the 2005 Canadian Internet Use Survey. Of particular interest is the data on why Canadians go online with email, general surfing, information search, banking, health information, weather, bill payment, and government info all cited by 50 percent or more of respondents. Ranking lower is access to music, with 37 percent obtaining music, though the survey does not distinguish between fee-based services and private copies on P2P services. Video was even lower, though I suspect that will change in the coming years.
Canadian Internet Use Survey 2005
August 15, 2006
Share this post
One Comment

Law Bytes
Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
byMichael Geist

May 11, 2026
Michael Geist
May 4, 2026
Michael Geist
April 27, 2026
Michael Geist
Ep. 265 – Jason Millar on Claude Mythos, Project Glasswing, and the Governance Crisis in Frontier AI
April 20, 2026
Michael Geist
Search Results placeholder
Michael Geist on Substack
Recent Posts
Slick Videos Won’t Save Lawful Access: Why The Government’s Bill C-22 Defence Avoids the Charter, Privacy and Security Concerns Raised By Critics
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
U.S. Congressional Leaders Warn Canadian Lawful Access Plans Harm U.S. National Security and Economic Interests
Make It Make Sense: My Appearance Before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Bill C-22’s Lawful Access Plan
Why Social Media and AI Chatbot Bans for Kids Are Bad Policy: Making the Case at the Senate Social Affairs, Science and Tech Committee

Canucks don’t buy online
StatsCan reports on 61% of households online and the majority having high-speed access. 3/4’s or 75% (of 61% of households) do not trust the online space – in fact have “strong concerns” about their privacy or security. And, while 57% browse /scan the net for purchase options/opportunities, only 43% (again of 61% of households) ever buy any goods or services there. This is VERY SIGNIFICANT NEWS, i.e. that Canadians as a lot do not TRUST the online space… perhaps this is the root problem, or CRUX of the issue why Canadians do not purchase MUSIC online, or any other entertainment, or ANY ANYTHING in the online space, period. Ergo, if any company or organization envisions marketing their wares to Canadians online, they should invest in the kind of “inner views” research that will assist them in breaking down this seemingly huge (75%) market entry barrier of MISTRUST!