OTTAWA- The Green Party of Canada believes that the proposed takeover of Shaw Communications by Rogers Communication would hurt millions of consumers through higher prices, reduced quality of service and less innovation in wireless services. Other options should be explored.
"Consumer watchdog groups, industry experts and academics have also outlined the many ways in which weakening competition in an already tight telecommunications market will invariably hurt consumers,” the Green MP for Kitchener Centre Mike Morrice said. “These events come at a time when we know that Canadians are already paying far too much for existing telecommunications services compared to other countries.”
"We know all too well the consequences of relying too heavily on a limited number of private telecommunications providers whose main interest is ensuring corporate profits,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “In July 2022, the Rogers blackout affected millions of people, crippling essential services, including payment systems, government services and even access to 911. This is simply unacceptable.”
The Green Party of Canada calls for an end to corporate monopolies. A healthy number of competitors in the telecommunications sector would reduce our dependence on a handful of providers in the event of a network outage. Alternatively, a national public telecommunications network could ensure quality and affordable services for all. "In Saskatchewan, SaskTel has proven that nationalizing telecommunications can not only result in lower prices, but also better service for people living in rural areas,” Morrice added.
“Telecommunications are now critical to our economy, our safety, our democracy and the health of our collective social life. The critical collective services they provide should not be monopolized by a handful of private actors,” concluded Jonathan Pedneault, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “The discussions around the Rogers-Shaw merger now offer an opportunity for Canadians to explore all possible avenues to ensure that our telecommunications’ network is safe, accessible and accountable to those it serves as opposed to private investors. As these options are explored, we believe that nationalization should not be taken off the table.”
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