Two-thirds of adult Canadians surfed the Internet in 2005, and those living in larger cities were much more likely to be "on the net" than those in rural areas and small towns, according to the new Canadian Internet Use Survey published by Statistics Canada.
An estimated 16.8 million adult Canadians, or 68 percent, used
the Internet for personal non-business reasons during the 12
months prior to the survey.
Roughly six of every 10 Internet users used it to read news
or sports.
Other personal uses include sending e-mail, checking the
weather, and accessing government documents and information.
Only 58 percent of residents living in small towns or rural
areas accessed the web which is below the national average.
In general, larger cities have younger populations and more
residents with higher levels of income and education, all
considered factors related to higher rates of Internet use.
In  2005, an estimated 7.9 million Canadian households
(61 percent) were connected to the Internet, up slightly from
the nearly 60 percent reported in 2004.
The survey asked more than 30,000 Canadians aged 18 years
and over about their Internet use, including electronic
shopping, for the last 12 months.
About 88 percent of adults with household incomes of $86,000 or
more used the Internet last year.
Eighty percent of adults with at least some post-secondary
education used the Internet, compared with just under one half
(49 percent) of adults with less education.
Canadians between the ages of 18 and 44 (85 percent) were
over one and a half times more likely to use the Internet than
those 45 years of age and older (50 percent).
Just under one-half (49 percent) of employed Internet users from age 35 to 54 reported accessing it from work for personal non-business use, while nine out of 10 (91 percent) full-time students under age 25 who used the Internet reported accessing it from school.
