Application Asks CRTC to Prohibit Paper Bill Fees and Seek Refunds for Regulated Phone Customers
OCTOBER 23, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA – The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC) filed an application today to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to request the elimination of all fees charged by telecommunications service providers for providing bills in paper format. PIAC and CAC are also seeking refunds for “paper bill fees” charged to Primary Exchange Service customers and landline customers in regulated areas. The groups’ application asks that the CRTC prohibit telecommunications companies from charging paper bill fees as these are penalizing customers simply to pay for the cost of billing those same customers.
PIAC and CAC also argue that paper bill fees are an unauthorized rate increase for regulated landline customers and unjustly discriminatory towards all telecommunications customers. The group filed with the application an August-September 2013 survey conducted by Environics Research Group which demonstrates that:
•83% of Canadians somewhat agreed or strongly agreed that people should have the right to get a paper bill in the mail without having to pay an extra fee, and that this was part of the company’s cost of doing business;
•33% of Canadians were “not very comfortable” or “not at all comfortable” with receiving bills or invoices online; and
•Where faced with a paper bill fee, 54% of Canadians have paid it to receive a paper statement.
Consumers Association of Canada Congratulates The Harper Government
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2013
The Consumers' Association congratulates the Harper Government on their decision to transfer the responsibility for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to the Ministry of Health.
OTTAWA, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The Consumers' Association congratulates the Harper Government on their decision to transfer the responsibility for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to the Ministry of Health.
"We at the CAC believe this to be a positive step for Canadian Consumers and look forward to working with Minister Ambrose," said President Bruce Cran.
Read MoreA Consumer’s Perspective to Fixing ICBC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2013
When the BC Liberals entered of!ce in 2001 motorists were led to believe that they would get a smoother ride with automobile insurance despite the reality that ICBC was entering a sixth year with no rate increases on basic or optional insurance, and had just repaid BC motorists with a Road Safety Dividend of $100 per policyholder. In reality, motorists were blindfolded, gagged and locked in the trunk of the Liberal vehicle – all the while paying more than they should for their ride.
Click here for full report.
Read MorePoll Shows Consumers Support Competition Tribunal Decision
Poll Shows Consumers Support Competition Tribunal Decision Time for Merchants to use the Tools Already at their Disposal to Control Credit Card Acceptance Costs
August 26 (OTTAWA): The Consumers Association of Canada (CAC) released new polling
today that shows consumers overwhelmingly support the decision of the Competition Tribunal to
reject a challenge of rules put in place by MasterCard and Visa to protect consumers.
Canadian Wireless Policy will Spur Investment, Lower Wireless Prices
AUGUST 22, 2013
OTTAWA –Canada’s present wireless policy will increase investment in wireless networks and lower consumer prices, today said the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC). Canada’s “big three” cellphone companies, Bell Mobility, TELUS Mobility and Rogers already control more than 90% of the retail cellphone market and 90% of Canada’s spectrum but are threatening to slow down investment if Verizon or another credible company enters Canada’s market. However, contrary to their claims, these three companies spend proportionately little on their networks and increased competition from a fourth national provider and will spur their investment rather than reduce it.
“It’s hard to see how the three wireless companies in Canada could possibly spend less on their networks,” said John Lawford, Executive Director and General Counsel for PIAC. “For example, Bell last quarter only reinvested 9.3% of its wireless revenues on capital expenditures for wireless services in the second quarter of 2013. That’s well below averages in every other major economy,” he added.
In addition, the groups noted that the companies’ wireless revenue from Canada’s cellphone users is the fourth highest of all 34 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
“Canadians are paying too much for cellphone service because their market is lacking real competition at the national level,” said Bruce Cran, President of the Consumers’ Association of Canada. “We support the Government of Canada’s spectrum policy because it is designed to help introduce this badly needed competition in the Canadian wireless market.”
PIAC has prepared a short backgrounder on wireless investment and pricing in Canada which is attached [pdf document].
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