In a recent development, Members of Parliament have unanimously voted to summon the CEOs of Rogers, Telus, and Bell to testify at a federal committee. This committee is focused on examining the accessibility and affordability of wireless and broadband services across Canada.
The motion was introduced by NDP MP Don Davies during a meeting of the House of Commons industry committee. Specifically, the CEOs requested to appear are Tony Staffieri, Darren Entwistle, and Mirko Bibic of Rogers, Telus, and Bell, respectively.
The committee’s main concern is the high costs of cellphone and internet services in Canada compared to other countries. The goal is to address these issues and find ways to make these services more affordable for Canadians.
While having these CEOs appear before MPs is important for transparency and accountability, it’s crucial to note that true change in pricing will come from increased competition in the telecom industry. A recent example is Freedom Mobile’s aggressive Canada-US plans which have prompted Telus’ prepaid carrier Public Mobile to match their $34/50GB Canada-US plan. This move marks a significant step towards more competitive pricing options for consumers.
Overall, this development highlights the ongoing efforts to improve telecommunications services in Canada and prioritize affordability for all customers. Stay tuned for further updates on this important issue.