While many of us frequently send-off quick electronic messages, the majority of Canadians still pick up the phone to catch up and stay connected when it counts. According to a survey commissioned by Primus Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PTGi (Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc.) NYSE:PTGI, and conducted by Angus Reid, 83 percent of Canadians have an active home phone line.

So why, in the age of smart phones, do so many Canadians maintain a home phone line? The number one reason is that people want a phone number that's tied to their household or family, rather than just to them personally. It helps them stay connected to those closest to them - 67 percent say their extended family members contact them primarily at their home number, followed by friends at 63 percent, parents at 49 percent, spouse/partner at 47 percent and kids at 35 percent.

"The message we hear from Canadians is that their home phone gives their family and household a central contact point for those who are most important to them, such as family and friends," says Rob Warden, Senior Vice President, Residential Services at Primus Canada. "Home phones provide a very reliable means of communication that you can't always get from a mobile phone, and clearly Canadians still value the personal touch of a phone call."

Given the choice between the phone, email, text or social media, more Canadians choose to relay good news and important messages by phone. Fifty-six percent call to say "Happy Birthday!" where only 20 percent choose social media, 12 percent email and 5 percent text message. Asking for a favour also requires a conversation, with 65 percent choosing to talk it out compared to texting and emailing (both at 8 percent) or social media (2 percent).

"Congratulations on the job promotion!" warrants a call for 48 percent of Canadians, versus 24 percent over email, 12 percent social media and 7 percent text message. And the polite thing to do when you're running late is to call. 67 percent of Canadians do so. Text message follows at 24 percent, email at 4 percent and social media at 1 percent.

While email edges out the phone slightly when it comes to keeping in touch on a regular basis, the difference is only 3 percent - 33 percent choose email, 30 percent a phone call, 23 percent social media and 11 percent text message. Email is the big winner overall when it comes to how Canadians spend their time online; 95 percent said email is what they typically use the Internet for, followed by general research at 81 percent, banking at 77 percent, news at 65 percent and social networking at 59 percent.