Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Howard Slawner (Rogers Communications Canada Inc.)
Gatineau, 16 June 2026
Reference: 1011-NOC2024-0294
BY EMAIL
Howard Slawner
Vice President – Telecom
Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
regulatory@rci.rogers.com
Subject: Request for information – Rogers’ new fees
Dear Howard Slawner,
As you are aware, Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-43, Prohibition of fees that are a barrier to switching cellphone and Internet plans, came into effect on 12 June 2026. It set out the type of activation, modification, and cancellation fees that are prohibited by s. 27.04 of the Telecommunications Act (the Act).
Following the announcement of new fees charged to customers, Scott Hutton, Vice-President, Consumer, Analytics and Strategy, sent Bell and Telus letters, respectively on 6 May 2026 and 9 June 2026, informing them that their new fees would not appear to fall under the exemption considered by the Commission for optional services and products in the above-noted policy.
Today, on 16 June 2026, Rogers has begun charging customers new fees that would similarly appear to not fall under the exemption, specifically, the $40 device setup charge, the $25 shipping charge, and the unspecified SIM fee.
I’m requesting that you confirm whether Rogers intends to cease its new practice of charging its customers a device setup or shipping charge. If Rogers does not cease this practice, explain why and provide supporting rationale as to why Rogers considers this practice to be in compliance with the exemption for optional services and products set out in the above-noted policy, or in compliance with the policy more generally. This information must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 18 June 2026.
As noted in Mr. Hutton’s letters to Bell and TELUS, he had hoped that this situation could be resolved before the Commission takes more formal regulatory action now that the prohibition has come into effect. Commission staff will consider all available compliance options to ensure that fees that are a barrier to switching cellphone and Internet plans are prohibited as intended by the Act.
Sincerely,
Nanao Kachi
Director, Social and Consumer Policy, CRTC
- Date modified: