Amid high phone bills, telecom experts call for structural change, regulatory reform
"Whether you're catching a flight, opening a new back account or picking up groceries, a small group of big names takes up most of the market share. Competition Ltd. is a Canadian Press series that explores what this means for products - and prices - in the country."
High-profile U.S. enforcers weigh in on Canada’s competition overhaul
"Two influential U.S. opponents of unchecked corporate consolidation and power have weighed in on Ottawa's consultation in new competition rules for Canadian businesses."
Canadians will see prices rise, deal approved. We need stronger laws: Expert on Rogers-Shaw deal
"Keldon Bester, co-founder of Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss how the Rogers-Shaw deal will affect thousands of Canadians. Bester says Canada needs a stronger set of laws when it comes to M&A. He adds the Tribunal is aware of how it will lead to a softer competition but even then decided to approve the deal. Bester adds in order for these deals to stop, laws need to be updated."
Liberal government approves Rogers-Shaw, wireless assets to go to Quebecor
"The Liberal government has approved the $26-billion mega telecom merger between Rogers and Shaw, a move critics said will lead to higher wireless prices and shows Canada must reform its competition laws."
Only reform of Canada’s competition law can prevent another Rogers-Shaw
CAMP statement in response to Minister Champagne’s Approval of Rogers-Shaw:
On March 31, 2023, Minister Champagne announced his approval of the Rogers-Shaw takeover. After an unsuccessful challenge by the Competition Bureau in front of the Competition Tribunal and Federal Court of Appeal, Minister Champagne’s approval was the last opportunity for Canadians to have a say in the monumental telecommunications merger. The Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project (CAMP) released the following statement:
“Minister Champagne’s approval closes the book on the two year Rogers-Shaw saga, leaving Canadians with one less telecommunications provider and the future of wireless competition uncertain,” said Keldon Bester, CAMP co-founder. “Though the Minister’s commitments and penalties are a positive step, our laws have once again traded away actually existing competition for the promise of a new competitor, handpicked by a dominant incumbent. Canada must act quickly to reform our permissive approach to these harmful mergers to prevent this from ever happening again.”
CAMP’s submission to The Future of Competition Policy in Canada
The power of monopolies in Canada has exacerbated an ongoing cost of living crisis, enriched few at the expense of millions, and stifled innovation and creativity in our economy.
Canada needs a robust anti-monopoly law that meets the challenge posed by our economic environment, curbs the exercise of corporate power against Canadians and protects economic fairness. Reforming the Competition Act gives us the opportunity to change our current trajectory and foster an economy that works for all Canadians.
ISED’s consultation on the future of the Competition Act is an important milestone on the journey towards such an economy. In its submission to the consultation, CAMP outlines a program of reform that would allow policy makers to better protect Canadians and competition by:
- Emboldening the Competition Act’s Purpose Clause
- Introducing stronger rules to block and deter harmful mergers
- Revitalizing protections against corporations abusing their dominance
- Creating a strong and transparent enforcement framework
Read the full submission here.