Canada Appoints Industry Executive & Lobbyist to Head CRTC Canada appears eager to follow the United States down the regulatory capture rabbit hole. The Canadian government has appointed former Telus executive Ian Scott to run the agency, a decision that is worrying many consumer advocates. Scott has spent a lifetime working at incumbent Canadian broadband providers, and is seen as a complete reversal from the policies of his predecessor Jean-Pierre Blais, who was seen as a notable consumer advocate in the Canadian telecom space.

At one point Scott was the focus of a Canadian government investigation into his revolving door relationship with both the CRTC and incumbent broadband providers. Canadian regulars in our forums are less than thrilled with the appointment, highlighting a long list of positions Scott has taken previously that -- not surprisingly -- align perfectly with the incumbent broadband providers that historically have employed him. "Everything Blais accomplished will be completely reversed within a year, I'm sure," complains user tpiazrule . "Is there somewhere we can file a formal complaint and petition to reverse this decision? It's an obvious handout to the Industry to squash a decades worth of progress on behalf on the consumer." Consumer advocates mirror consumer concerns on the appointment. "This is a concerning choice by the government," said Canadian consumer advocacy group OpenMedia. "Canadians were hoping for somebody with a strong consumer rights background, and will undoubtedly be disheartened to see the Trudeau government place someone from industry into the top decision-making position." Here in the States people lamented Tom Wheeler's long history as a cable and wireless lobbyist when he was appointed to head the FCC, though Wheeler wound up being one of the more consumer-friendly FCC bosses in the agency's history. Granted Wheeler was kind of an enigma, in that he lobbied for those industries when they were in their infancy, and was capable of changing his mind when presented with conflicting information. And while many will bring up Wheeler every time the regulatory revolving door spins moving forward, history suggests Wheeler was the exception, not the rule. And while many will bring up Wheeler every time the regulatory revolving door spins moving forward, history suggests Wheeler was the exception, not the rule.







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Most recommended from 6 comments



Dominokat

"Hi"

Premium Member

join:2002-08-06

Boothbay, ME 1 edit 4 recommendations Dominokat Premium Member winning (sarcasm) Hey! Obviously all the time and money lobbyists and executives, and pay offs and donations. Are making for a win for the cable industry.

CEOs "F-- the costumers. As long as we get their money who the hell cares."

I have absolutely zero faith that any one (in government) cares about consumers anymore. It's more about who lobbied the best.

Example. Pizza is now healthy. Because "tomato sause" contains tomato, which is healthy.

Thanks lobbyists for distorting the truth. Just for a few bucks.

KrK

Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy

Premium Member

join:2000-01-17

Tulsa, OK 3 recommendations KrK Premium Member Uh Canada.... ... please don't follow the U.S.A.'s example. Having Corporations run the Government doesn't work out for anyone but the top.