Canadians consumers must be treated fairly

June 14, 2018, Ottawa ON

Canadians have expressed serious concerns about telecommunication companies using misleading and/or aggressive sales tactics. The Government of Canada is taking action to ensure that Canadian consumers are treated fairly.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, today announced that the Government directed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to investigate and report on the sales practices used by Canada’s largest telecommunication companies. The Minister wants a public inquiry, where Canadians have an opportunity to be heard and these issues are carefully considered. The report resulting from the inquiry must include potential solutions to ensure Canadian consumers are adequately protected and treated fairly.

The CRTC is responsible for regulating telecommunications services and implementing consumer measures such as the Wireless Code of Conduct. The CRTC has the authority to conduct public inquiries. In light of the Competition Bureau’s expertise, Minister Bains also wrote a letter to the Interim Commissioner of Competition requesting that the Competition Bureau assist the CRTC as needed in its inquiry.