Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – A survey by pollster Angus Reid found that 76 percent of Canadians are against the usage-based Internet billing that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission favored.

Angus Reid Vice President Jaideep Mukerji attributed the high rate of resistance to the usage-based billing by large telecommunication companies to users considering Internet similar to cable television. Mukerji added it would be difficult to change that mindset because a majority of Canadian Internet users are young people who download a lot of video and music.

Another reason behind the opposition is the perception that telecom companies are making enough profits from the service. Telus usually earns $1 billion profit yearly, while Shaw Communications reported profits of $500 million in 2009 and 2010.

The subject became hotter after Prime Minister Stephen Harper stepped in last week and asked Industry Minister Tony Clement to review the CRTC decision. Riding on the issue, NDP digital critic Charlie Angus launched an online campaign against Internet metering.

According to a telecommunications expert from the University of Ottawa, Internet service in Canada is one of the slowest in developed countries, but it is also one of the cheapest since Canada was 28th out of 30 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development members in terms of price per megabyte.

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