Time to Make Your Cell and Internet Bills More Affordable

The NDP has the courage to stand up to rich telecom companies – to protect your wallet and improve the services you rely on.

OTTAWA – Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh unveiled the NDP’s plan to make sure Canadians save money on their cell and internet bills. Access to a phone and high-speed internet is a necessity for people throughout the country, yet despite this, broadband access and wireless services are far from being affordable or reliable in Canada.

“We know that Canadians rely on cellphones and access to the internet in their day to day lives. But these essential services are becoming more expensive and less reliable,” said Singh. “Canadians pay some of the highest prices for mobile wireless and broadband subscriptions. Telecom companies are making billions of dollars on the backs of Canadian families. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

The profits of the “Big Five” telecom companies in 2017 totalled $7.49 billion and their profit margins have reached 38.3 per cent. Despite these astounding profits, Bell, Rogers and Telus received close to $50 million in subsidies and more than $700 million in contracts from Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. The Liberal government continues to put the profits of these rich telecommunications companies ahead of people.

“In this market, Canadians are being forced to pay more than $20 more than the average monthly prices of other OECD countries,” said NDP Critic for Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Brian Masse. “Canadians deserve a government that has the courage to stand up to the rich telecommunication companies and to use every tool available to make life more affordable for people.”

New Democrats commit to improving telecommunication services and making them more affordable for everyone. The NDP plan will introduce a price cap to ensure every Canadian saves money on their bill, will establish a Telecoms Consumers’ Bill of Rights, and will put an end to the egregious and outrageous sales and services practices of the telecom companies to protect Canadians.

It’s time for a government that puts everyday people ahead of huge profits for giant corporations. New Democrats have the courage to make different choices to get better results for people.