ARCHIVED - Costs Order CRTC 2000-13

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Costs Order CRTC 2000-13
Ottawa, 11 July 2000
Subject: Final standards for quality of service indicators for use in telephone company regulation and other related matters
Reference: 4754-171 and 8660-C12-05/99
Application for costs by Action Réseau Consommateur, the Consumers' Association of Canada and the National Anti-Poverty Organization (ARC et al.).

1.

By letter dated 17 May 2000, ARC et al. applied for an award of costs associated with their participation in the proceeding that resulted in Decision CRTC 2000-24, Final standards for quality of service indicators for use in telephone company regulation and other related matters, dated 20 January 2000. ARC et al. requested that the Commission dispense with the taxation process and fix the amount of costs at $2,037.12.

2.

The Commission did not receive any answers in response to ARC et al.'s application.

Positions of parties

3.

ARC et al. submitted that they met the criteria for an award of costs, in that they:

a) represent a body of subscribers that has a clear interest in the outcome of the proceeding;

b) participated in a responsible manner in that proceeding; and

c) contributed to the Commission's better understanding of the issues through their comments on quality of service issues in the proceeding.

4.

ARC et al. submitted that, because their claim was so small, for reasons of efficiency and practicality only Bell Canada et al. and TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) should be made respondents.
Commission determination

5.

In the Commission's view, ARC et al. have met the three requirements of section 44(1) of the CRTC Telecommunications Rules of Procedure. Accordingly, an award of costs is warranted in the circumstances.

6.

Given the size of ARC et al.'s claim and the nature of this paper proceeding, the Commission considers that this is an appropriate case in which to dispense with taxation and fix the costs in accordance with the streamlined procedure set out in Telecom Public Notice CRTC 98-11.

7.

The Commission has examined the amounts claimed by ARC et al. and considers them to be both reasonable and necessarily incurred.
Direction as to costs

8.

The application for an award of costs in respect of the above-mentioned proceeding is approved. Pursuant to section 56(1) of the Telecommunications Act, the Commission fixes the costs to be paid to ARC et al. at $2,037.12.

9.

The Commission considers that, in light of the relatively small amount of costs awarded, it would be appropriate and administratively convenient to name Bell Canada and TCI as respondents.

10.

Accordingly, costs shall be paid by Bell Canada and TCI forthwith. Each company shall pay 50 % of the costs fixed herein.

Secretary General


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