Conservatives must ensure consumer choice and protect the cultural sector

New Democrats welcome changes that give consumers greater choice and low-cost basic packages, but caution that the Conservatives haven’t explained how they will ensure that pick-and-pay doesn’t lead to less choice and higher costs for some subscribers.

“A no-frills cable package and à la carte TV sound good, but the Conservatives must ensure that this doesn’t ultimately lead to higher costs and reduced programming options for Canadians,” said NDP Consumer Protection critic Andrew Cash (Davenport).

The Conservatives pledged in the Throne Speech that they would protect Canadian jobs while implementing pick-and-pay but they have made no announcement about how they will deliver on this promise.

“The cultural sector is already reeling from the decision to scrap Canadian content rules,” said NDP Heritage critic Pierre Nantel (Longueuil – Pierre-Boucher). “It is becoming clear now that the Conservatives don’t do enough to protect the Canadian cultural production sector as well as the distinctiveness of Quebec’s cultural industry. This also applies to modernizing the broadcasting system.”

New Democrats have led a range of initiatives fighting for consumer interests and content creators, including protecting net neutrality, advocating for clearer billing, and an end to pay-to-pay billing.