Issues and Activities

CRTC asked to stop Bell Mobility’s “Relevant Ads” Program

January 27, 2014

OTTAWA – The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC) today filed an application challenging Bell Canada’s collection, use and disclosure of customer information gathered from its own wireless customers for behavioural and other marketing.

The application, which was filed with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC), argues that Bell’s unprecedented collection, use and disclosure of customer information for marketing is contrary to Canadian telecommunications policy – rules intended to protect Canadians’ privacy.

Part 1 Application Regarding Roger’s Anyplace TV Service

JANUARY 09, 2014

The Consumers’ Association of Canada (“CAC”), the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia (“COSCO”), and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (“PIAC”, collectively with CAC and COSCO (“CAC-COSCO-PIAC”) hereby make an application to the Commission under Part 1 of the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure to direct Rogers Communications Partnership (the “Respondent”) to stop certain billing practices in respect of access by Rogers’ mobile wireless customers to over-the-top (“OTT”) mobile TV services.

Part 1 Application Regarding Videotron’s Illico.tv Service

JANUARY 09, 2014

The Consumers’ Association of Canada (“CAC”), the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia (“COSCO”), and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (“PIAC”, collectively with CAC and COSCO (“CAC-COSCO-PIAC”) hereby make an application to the Commission under Part 1 of the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure to direct Quebecor Media Inc., Videotron Ltd., and Videotron G.P. (collectively the “Respondent”) to stop certain billing practices in respect of access by Videotron’s mobile wireless customers to over-the-top (“OTT”) mobile TV services.
Electronic service of this application has been made to the respondent by e-mail, with the associated attachments. This application has also been posted to PIAC’s website at: Part 1 Application Regarding Videotron’s Illico.tv Service [pdf file: 0.27mb]

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.