Issues and Activities

A 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.

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Poll 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].

Consumers Will Benefit from Competition Canada’s Spectrum Policy Creates

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa – Consumers will benefit from increased competition in wireless thanks to the Canadian government’s commitment to its present spectrum policy, today stated two major consumer groups, the Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).

John Lawford, Executive Director and General Counsel of PIAC noted that the Canadian government has been clear that it wants more wireless competition: “The spectrum auction rules are designed to produce a more competitive wireless market that will lower prices for consumers – that’s what the big three don’t want you to get.”

Bell, TELUS and Rogers have very publicly stated the government’s spectrum policy is unfairly favouring foreign interests and that the playing field is “not level”. The large Canadian wireless carriers have also said publicly that they won’t serve rural Canadians, will fire their own employees and will be wiped out by U.S. companies if Canada allows a serious fourth national competitor, such as Verizon, to get established in Canada.

“Bell, TELUS and Rogers are trying to scare Canadians with misinformation,” said Bruce Cran, President of the Consumers’ Association of Canada. “We are happy that new Industry Minister Moore is staying the course on spectrum,” he added.

CAC Statement on Credit Card Fees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 23, 2013

CAC Statement on Credit Card Fees

“The Consumers’ Association of Canada is very pleased with today’s ruling by the Competition Tribunal. We did not support the Bureau’s original action against Visa and MasterCard because it did not take consumer interests into account. The CAC believes both the no surcharge and honour all cards rules are important for consumer protection and to ensure that consumers have an appropriate choice of payment methods.

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