U.S. regulators want to lay down new rules to ensure that Internet traffic is treated equally, a move that could put pressure on the CRTC to do the same in Canada.
Acting on President Barack Obama's campaign pledge to keep the Internet an open and neutral technology, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission outlined a plan that would require Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide equal access to all legal online content and be more transparent with consumers about how they manage their networks.
"Greater transparency will give consumers the confidence of knowing that they're getting the service they've paid for, enable innovators to make their offerings work effectively over the Internet, and allow policy makers to ensure that broadband providers are preserving the Internet as a level playing field," FCC chair Julius Genachowski said in a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington yesterday.
His proposal - to codify and enforce some general principles of "Net neutrality" - comes as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is expected to release its own position this fall, after public consultations this summer that prompted feedback from tens of thousands of Canadians.
"The kinds of principles that the FCC is now looking to put into rules are precisely what the CRTC heard from many groups this past summer," said Michael Geist, a University of Ottawa professor who holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law. "The kinds of concerns that Canadians have been expressing have clearly been taken to heart by the FCC."
In general terms, Net neutrality refers to the concept that access to all legal content on the Internet should be equal. The concept often comes up in relation to the practice of "bandwidth throttling," where ISPs limit the transfer speed of certain kinds of data - such as the transfer of large movie files between users - but not other kinds.
Many large Canadian ISPs have argued that network management doesn't affect Net neutrality, and taking away an ISP's ability to manage its network results in worse service for a large number of customers.
Currently, there is no uniform practice among large ISPs in Canada when it comes to network management. Some firms throttle bandwidth during certain times of the day, whereas other limit bandwidth all the time, or not at all. A CRTC ruling this fall could go a long way toward implementing a uniform code for all ISPs.
"In light of what we've seen today, [the CRTC ruling] will be particularly telling because the benchmark now isn't just what the CRTC heard during this hearing, the benchmark now is our neighbours to the south," Prof. Geist said. "The CRTC will in many ways be measured up against what the FCC is doing in the U.S." For the entire article

 

Although born in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Steve Yzerman was raised in Nepean, Ontario.  Yzerman is a Canadian-American who played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings.  In 1983, “Stevie Y” was drafted from the Peterborough Petes with the fourth pick by the Detroit Red Wings.  From there, he erupted not only as the leader on the ice tallying 39 goals and 87 points in his first season but in the locker room as well.  In his third season, at the age of 21 Steve was named captain of the Red Wings replacing teammate Danny Gare, and would retire as the longest serving captain of any team in North American major league sports history.  He was also voted the most popular athlete in Detroit sports history in later years. 
During his 22 seasons of professional hockey, Yzerman not only earned many awards and accrued numerous records but earned the respect and adoration of players and fans around the world.  No one ever thought to take a cheap shot on “The Captain” for if they did it would cost them dearly and it was a one time mistake.  In 1989, he won the Lester B Pearson Award (MVP as voted by the National Hockey League Players Association), the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 1998, the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward in 2000, the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy for perseverance in 2003 and the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2006 for contributions in providing outstanding service to hockey in the United States.  In addition to those awards Steve helped lead the Wings to 3 Stanley Cups (1996, 1998, and 2002) as a player and a fourth as the Red Wings Vice President of Operations in 2008.  He was a ten-time NHL All-Star, a First Team All-Star in 2000, and a member of the 1984 All-Rookie Team. 
            The accomplishment he is most proud of throughout his illustrious career is helping Team Canada earn the gold medal in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, UT.
            Just prior to retiring from the NHL in 2006, Team Canada retired Yzerman’s #19 jersey from ever being worn again. In addition to having his Canadian jersey retired, the Detroit Red Wings also retired his #19 jersey to the rafters of Joe Louis Arena in a pregame ceremony on January 2, 2007.  Other honors bestowed to Yzerman include being presented the key to the city of Detroit, having January 13 proclaimed as “Steve Yzerman Day” in the state of Michigan by Governor Jennifer Granholm.  He has also been inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, the Michigan Hall of Fame and most recently the National Hockey League Hall of Fame this coming November.

 

University Faculty to Explore Great Lakes Transportation Transformation,
New Initiative

MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University are collaborating in the design of a broad-based, multi-disciplinary research agenda focused on the transportation of transportation in the Great Lakes.
Critical issues crossing the U.S. and Canadian boundaries are expected to be addressed. Among them: alternative energy development, regional economic development, urban transit.

Email your Interest in being a part of initial faculty discussions.

 

 

CUSBA (Canada-U.S. Business Association) Golf & Dinner - Mon., Aug. 31, 2009 Registration Form

 

Trade North America Conference - Sept. 9-10, 2009

Keynote speakers: John Engler, President and CEO, National Assn. of Manufacturers, Gary Locke, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Robert Noble, Canadian Consul General, Vincente Sanchez Ventura, Consul General of Mexico. Opportunities for new & Experienced Exporters. Read the Trade North America flyer for details. Or go to www.TradeNorthAmerica.com

 

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Biennial Meeting, Windsor, Ontario, October 7-8, 2009 - MEETING.IJC.ORG

MSU Hosts Canadian Ambassador
at Forum

IPPSR and MSU's Canadian Studies Center co-hosted  Canadian Ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson in an April economic development and trade forum on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. The forum was attended by a large group of business and political leaders, scholars and association executives.

In an address given via video conference, Michael Wilson, Canadian Ambassador to the United States, commented on "Friends and Neighbors". Canada and the U.S. are each others' largest export market. Over the last two decades, trade between the U.S. and Canada has tripled. Currently, the trade industry supports more than 7 million jobs in America. The auto industry between Detroit and Windsor is a major factor in this success. Visit this webpage to read the transcript of the Ambassador's message.

Guests of note included Consul General Robert Noble, Canadian Consulate General, Detroit