PIAC and FRPC file CRTC Application to Ensure Continued Funding of the Broadcasting Participation Fund (BPF)
OTTAWA (21 April 2021) – The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications (FRPC) today filed a Part 1 Application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to protect consumer and public participation in Canadian broadcasting regulation in an era of fundamental change to the Canadian broadcasting system. The Application seeks continuing funding of the pivotal Broadcasting Participation Fund (BPF), which provides funds to consumer and public interest groups in CRTC broadcasting matters. The BPF faces serious budget shortfalls in the coming years unless the CRTC and the broadcasting industry find a new way to support public participation on key questions of what Canadians can watch, listen to or be entertained by, whether on their TVs, radios, computers or cellphones.
“The Broadcasting Participation Fund allows PIAC and FRPC, and many other consumer groups to protect consumer interests in broadcasting at the CRTC. Without it, the consumer voice on upcoming legislation on regulating internet speech, news, media mergers such as Rogers and Shaw, the CBC’s licences and the regulation of online shows will be silenced,” stated John Lawford, Executive Director and General Counsel of co-applicant PIAC.
The application highlights the precarious nature of the support of public interest advocacy in broadcasting, before the CRTC, and the importance of continuing support of the consumer voice. It also notes that there will be a long transition to the major reforms of broadcasting in Bill C-10, which Parliament is presently considering and which will require considerable public participation to implement fairly for all.
Monica Auer, Executive Director of co-Applicant FRPC noted: “The issues that face Canadian broadcasting in the 21st century are too important to be decided without the informed public input that organizations such as PIAC, the Forum and others provide.”
“The CRTC recognized some years ago that the BPF was crucial to a balanced and reasoned debate on broadcasting matters touching consumers every day,” added Lawford, “we are just asking that this be continued as we set the new rules for broadcasters.”
For more information, please contact:
John Lawford
Executive Director/General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
285 McLeod Street – Suite 200
Ottawa, ON K2P 1A1
jlawford@piac.ca
613-562-4002 ext 125 [new!]
Fax 562-0007
Cell: 613-447-8125
https://www.piac.ca
@CanadaPIAC
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Consumer Groups welcome “MVNO” Wireless Competition in Canada
OTTAWA, 15 April 2021 – Consumers will benefit from “MVNO” wireless competition permitted today by Canada’s telecommunications regulator, said the “Coalition for Cheaper Wireless Service” (CCWS) a group of consumer, low-income and seniors groups whose members are the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC); ACORN Canada (ACORN); National Pensioners Federation (NPF); and CARP (formerly Canadian Association of Retired Persons).
John Lawford, PIAC Executive Director and General Counsel, welcomed the decision, noting: “Consumers made the case that they have too few choices and too high prices for cellphone service in Canada. The CRTC has finally cleared a path for MVNOs and we trust they will find Canadians are very willing to try a new wireless option.”
Certain “eligible regional” mobile virtual network operators or “MVNOs” will be permitted to resell the wireless services of major, established wireless companies Bell Mobility, TELUS Mobility and Rogers, with some conditions, based on wholesale access to these established companies – which is what the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) finally required today.
Lawford noted that consumers will have to wait a little longer for the new competition while MVNOs and the “big 3” negotiate rates and the CRTC arbitrates dispute.
Finally, Bell, TELUS and Rogers will be required “offer and promote low-cost plans and occasional-use plans in an effort to benefit Canadians, including those who are elderly or low-income earners, as well as those who use their mobile devices sparingly.” The CCWS specifically asked for cellphone plans for low-income Canadians and seniors.
“We hope to see these affordable options soon,” added Lawford. “Seniors and lower-income Canadians need wireless connections now more than ever.”
For more information, please contact:
John Lawford
Executive Director and General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
613-562-4002 ext. 125 (New)
(613) 447-8125 (cell)
jlawford@piac.ca
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We Fight For That – Episode 7
EPISODE NOTES
John Lawford, PIAC’s Executive Director and General Counsel welcomes special guest Konrad von Finckenstein, PIAC’s current Chair of the Board, to work through options the Competition Bureau, the CRTC and the Industry Minister could have to modify the deal to preserve at least some competition. In a spirited conversation, Mr. Lawford attempts to outline consumer frustration with the process and the deal, while Mr. von Finckenstein calmly discusses the cold, hard calculations in the regulatory, merger and political fields and how they could play out in a frankly challenging merger with no easy way to ensure the same level of competition before and after. He should know: he has been Commissioner of Competition, Chair of the CRTC, advisor on mergers to the Industry Minister, Federal Court of Appeal justice and much more. But that doesn’t stop Mr. Lawford from trying. Both agreed, however, that the CRTC’s upcoming MVNO decision, expected the very next day, would change the context and maybe the entire conversation.
We hope that this lively exchange of views will help consumers understand the complexities of mergers in Canada and that their voice is needed.
We Fight For That – Episode 6
EPISODE NOTES
John Lawford, PIAC’s Executive Director and General Counsel, explains merger review in Canada in light of the proposed Rogers-Shaw merger. What fun.
Competition law basics are described but the real process of applying them to a deal by the Competition Bureau and the parties is covered, along with the roles of the CRTC and the Minister of Innovation Science and Industry in the Department of Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED).
This convoluted process has previously resulted in blocking 0 of 6 previous wireless mergers. What do you think are the odds of stopping number 7?
Consumers can have an effect and should express their views to all of these government bodies. PIAC will be as well, but the only real voice belongs to the consumers who buy and use wireless, Internet and other services of these large telecommunications companies. Have your say!
Air Canada Passengers May Apply for COVID-19 Refunds
OTTAWA, 13 April 2021 – The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) today welcomed the agreement reached between the federal government and Air Canada to provide it financial support, while obliging the airline to refund passengers due to cancelled pandemic flights. PIAC, on behalf of airline customers affected by the pandemic, has demanded refunds for all flights, including “non-refundable” tickets: No Refund = No Bailout.
“We are pleased that the Federal government has stood by consumers to ensure those who had to cancel flights or whose flights were cancelled due to COVID-19 will get full refunds,” stated John Lawford, PIAC Executive Director and General Counsel.
“However, we caution customers to immediately inform themselves about the process to get refunds as there are time limits and conditions,” he added.
According to Air Canada, it will offer the option of a refund to eligible customers who purchased non-refundable fares or who voluntarily cancelled their travel due to COVID-19, since 1 February 2020. Money for the refunds comes from a government loan: “$1.4 billion in the form of an unsecured credit facility tranche to support customer refunds of non-refundable tickets.”
Please note that Air Canada has provided a 60 day deadline to apply for refunds. Air Canada states: “Customers can request a refund online at www.aircanada.com/refund until June 12, 2021.”
Information released so far suggests that customers will need to take positive steps to apply for the refunds, that is, refunds will not be applied automatically. Also unclear is whether passengers who have already applied for a refund will have to re-apply under this new procedure.
PIAC also cautions consumers that from 13 April 2021 forward, Air Canada will institute a new refunds and cancellations policy: “Air Canada will provide customers an option for a refund to the original form of payment in instances where Air Canada cancels their flight or reschedules the departure time by more than three hours, irrespective of the reason. Air Canada customers will also have the option of accepting an ACTV or Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus. For customers who make voluntary changes, normal fare rules will apply. Air Canada has also extended its existing goodwill policy so that customers can make a one-time change without a fee for all new or existing bookings made through May 31, 2021 for original travel until May 31, 2022.”
Finally, PIAC notes that this refund program, as of now, just covers Air Canada; customers of other airlines must wait to see whether the government concludes similar bailout deals with other carriers (e.g., Westjet, Air Transat, Sunwing, Porter, etc.) and whether they will receive refunds and how they plan to provide passenger refunds. PIAC will monitor developments.
For more information, please contact:
John Lawford
Executive Director and General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
613-562-4002 ext. 125 (New)
jlawford@piac.ca
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