Hansard

March 22, 2021

The Speaker: The honourable member for Windsor West.

Brian Masse (NPD): Mr. Speaker, Canadians pay some of the highest rates in the world for cellphone and internet service. For decades liberals and conservatives have sided with the telecom giants will reduce competitions, led to skyrocket being prices that many Canadians simply cannot afford. Rogers cannibalizing Shaw will eliminate the little competition we have now, raise these outrageous prices, intensify gouging on consumers, and continue to damage our economy. That’s why there is a universal public outcry to stop this takeover. Broken liberal promises won’t pay the bills. Will the minister stop this insane merger?

The Speaker: The honourable minister.

William Amos (LPC): Mr. Speaker, we’ve been very, very clear that greater affordability, competition, and innovation all across the telecommunications sector in Canada are so important to us as a government, just as they’re important to Canadians who are concerned about their cellphone bills and connectivity. And these goals will be front and centre as we do the analysis necessary to figure out the implications of this proposed deal. The transaction will be reviewed by the crtc, the competition bureau, by industry and our own department. So the work will be done, and Mr. Speaker, Canadians can be ensured that as consumers they will be protected, as will the public interest be considered all along these analyses. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.