ARCHIVED - Letter
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Ottawa, 30 July 2014
File Number: 8480-B54-X
Mr. John Lawford
Executive Direction and General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
1204 – ONE Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7
Mr. Bruce Cran
President
Consumers’ Association of Canada
436 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0R8
Dear Messrs. Lawford and Cran:
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to your letter yesterday to the Chairman, wherein you express concern with the actions of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regarding charges for paper billing made by Telecommunications Providers and Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings.
I acknowledge your disappointment that your application is not going forward. I also acknowledge and appreciate that your organizations brought an important issue to the attention of the Commission, one that is being acted on.
You and all Canadians can be assured that acting in the public interest is paramount for Tom Pentefountas, Vice-Chair Broadcasting, and Peter Menzies, Vice-Chair Telecommunications, as they enter into discussions with the companies. In fact, we expect the companies to step up on August 28 and come up with a clear and predictable approach to paper bill fees, if any, as well as exemptions for any such fees. The Commission is prepared to explore regulatory options if the industry fails to find an appropriate approach.
As our news release said, “We are concerned that not all Canadians have a reasonable choice when it comes to paper bill fees for communications services. We are challenging telecommunications and broadcasting distribution companies to come up with a comprehensive approach that will enable Canadians to make informed decisions.”
Through our actions, the CRTC is putting Canadians first by trying to find a solution.
Sincerely,
(Original Signed)
Barbara Motzney
Chief Consumer Officer and Executive Director
Consumer Affairs and Strategic Policy
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