Variance by Household Income

A majority of Canadians from all identified income groups report they have used the Internet in the past three months. While this result is indicative of the broad based societal interest in Internet usage, a substantial usage divide between Canada’s highest and lowest income groups persists [Table 1c].

  • 52 per cent of lowest income Canadians (less than $20K), compared to 94 per cent of highest income Canadians ($100K or more), are Internet users — a 42-percentage point usage divide.
  • 39 per cent of lowest income Canadians have no direct experience using the Internet; a negligible 3 per cent of highest income Canadians reports the same.
  • 77 per cent of highest income Canadians use the Internet daily.
  • Less than half that number, 32 per cent, of lowest income households report a similar frequency of usage.

Variance by Household Type

“I know that with the Internet, if I don’t pass it on to my kids they will be left behind. There is no doubt about it. I have to provide it for their education and update my skills so that I can guide them.”
      (Winnipeg, near user)

“For me, [home Internet access] is less worthwhile because it is not a necessity yet. It will be when my daughter is in school.”
      (Ottawa, near non-user)

Canadian parents widely recognize the need for their children to be able to use computers and the Internet. Quantitative and qualitative research indicates that Canadians with children are more likely to use the Internet with parents developing their own skills to better facilitate and guide their children’s usage
[Table 1c].

  • 84 per cent of couples with children have used the Internet in the past three months.
  • By contrast, 56 per cent of adults living alone have used the Internet in past three months.