These figures are part of a recent study by the Canadian Economic Observer.
Roughly 40 per cent of Canadian households had one of more members who used computer communications such as Web browsing, e-mail, or electronic banking at some time in 1997.
There was at least one regular Internet user in three out of every 10 households.
Most people used the Internet in the workplace, followed by the home, schools, public libraries, and other locations.
Overall, about 60 per cent of households with regular users were on the Internet at least once per day on average, and a third of these households used the net at least once a week.
Heavy Internet users, (those who used the Net for at least 20 hours per month) account for about 4 out of every 10 users, while 3 in 10 were considered to be light users (less than 10 hours per month).
E-mail was the most heavily used application, followed by Web surfing, and searching for specific information.
One in five users used electronic banking services, while less than 10 per cent of users purchased goods or services through the Web.
The 35-54 year age group reported the highest rate of Internet use, followed by those under 35. Only 5.5 per cent of seniors over the age of 65 reported using the Net.
Households with children used the Internet more often, as did those with higher income and education levels.
