So the internet is kind of a big deal. The latest data from Statistics Canada shows that it is nearly ubiquitous in the country’s major metropolitan areas and that Canadians are increasingly accessing it via a variety of devices.
Survey by: Statistics Canada
Methodology: Survey of more than 53,000 Canadians age 16 and over
Key findings:
• 79% of Canadian households had access to the internet in 2010, with more than half of all connected households using multiple devices to go online.
• Internet access rates are highest in British Columbia (84%), Alberta (83%) and Ontario (81%).
• 97% of households in the top income quartile (an annual household income of $87,000 or more) had home internet access, compared with 54% of homes in the lowest quarter (annual household income of $30,000 or less).
• 54% of connected households used more than one type of device to go online.
• About 96% of households with home internet access reported having a high-speed connection.
• More than a third of connected households (35%) report using a wireless device to access the internet from home, while 20% used a game console.
• Among the 21% of households with no home internet access in 2010, more than half (56%) reported that they had no need for or interest in it. Other reasons included the cost of service or equipment (20%), a lack of a device like a computer (15%) and a lack of confidence, knowledge or skills (12%).
To see Statistics Canada’s full report, click here.
