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August 20th, 2019

Cancellation of Bell Service shows Liberal Failure: NDP

Liberals are more interested in protecting corporate profits than serving Canadians

WINDSOR — Today, NDP Critic for Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, Brian Masse (Windsor West), pointed to Bell Canada’s cancellation of the planned service rollout to 200,000 households as proof that the Liberals are failing to create more competition in the telecom sector to make life more affordable for people.

“You can’t have a real plan to deal with telecom affordability and service without the courage to take on the well-connected telecom giants,” stated Masse. “What’s shocking isn’t that the Liberals’ plan failed, but that it failed in just four days. Bell’s display of corporate greed to save a rounding error in their revenue is leading them to abandon 200,000 underserved Canadian households. Bell’s customers wait on hold longer than it took them to protect their price gouging.”

Bell announced this week that it will reduce its broadband Internet build-out for smaller towns and rural communities, abandoning 200,000 households, in response to a CRTC decision that lowered wholesale rates for third-party Internet resellers.

“For decades, Conservative and Liberal governments have abandoned Canadian consumers by allowing unfair competition to fester in the telecom market,” said Masse. “The result is that Canadians pay among the highest prices in the world for cellphone and internet service, while those living in rural and remote communities have no service at all. The Liberals’ plan will protect telecom company profits while doing nothing to guarantee Canadians wireless or high-speed internet access.”

New Democrats believe that no matter where you live in Canada, you should be able to stay connected – without breaking the bank over unfair gouging. The NPD’s New Deal for People will also save Canadians an average of $10 on every cell and internet bill.