All kinds of new stats just in today from our friends at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)…and these are not easy to find. Trust me, I know!

For anyone who’s not a true believer in search investment (I’m talking time and money), these Internet usage findings make the case pretty clear. Here are some high level takeaways:

1.  The report found that 70 per cent of Canadian households subscribed to the Internet in 2006, a six per cent increase from 2005, and 60 per cent use high speed internet, up from 51 per cent in 2005.

2. Advertising on the Internet almost doubled from 2005, totalling $1 billion in 2006.

3.  The CRTC report also revealed that 58 per cent of Canadians used a cellphone to access the Internet 2006, 14 per cent had an MP3 player and 4 per cent used a BlackBerry.

For a full recap of the report, you can go to: http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/289482963464827.php