OTTAWA, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's largest telecommunications union
has today submitted a brief to the CRTC backing the demand of consumer
and public interest groups for a national wireless code to protect
consumer interests.
As much as $4 billion is lost to consumers due to a lack of regulation
in the telco industry, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers
Union of Canada notes in its submission to the CRTC's Telecom Notice of
Consultation.
"The Conservatives are taking advantage of Canadians' legitimate
grievances regarding service and cost to push their ideological
agenda," says CEP President Dave Coles, referring to the omnibus budget
released last week proposing that foreign-controlled corporations be
allowed to buy Canadian companies holding up to 10 percent of the
market.
"This government needs to put the public interest first, instead of
setting up laws to line the pockets of its corporate friends."
"There is more wireless competition in Canada now than there has ever
been, yet prices have not dropped and services are not improving.
The CEP brief points to a recent CRTC-commissioned analysis of
international prices for wireless service which provides previously
unavailable evidence that the expected benefits for wireless users of
increased wireless service competition have not been achieved. That,
along with consumer surveys and sizable numbers of complaints about
mobile telephone service are evidence that users' needs and interests
are not being met, the brief says.
The brief also notes that most provincial legislatures have either
passed or are considering passage of laws that cover the provision of
telecommunications services.
"More foreign ownership is not the answer, and it will cost us in terms
of cultural sovereignty, security, outsourcing and jobs," says Coles,
noting that foreign-owned companies have a long history of killing
Canadian jobs."
"We need a national telecommunications strategy with a long-term vision
that protects consumers, our jobs and our culture."
