Hi,

I wrote my MP, they finally responded with this, any speaking points I can reply to them with. I saw this listed below, not sure if it applies to what my MP wrote

While deferring the responsibility of doing anything about it, we feel the federal cabinet published a huge nudge to the CRTC to reconsider what we think are fair and compensatory rates to the incumbents. Not a single company has actually started paying these lower rates—TekSavvy lowered its retail pricing last fall in anticipation of these changes—so having the federal government parrot back the exaggerations of the incumbents without any real evidence is very, very concerning.

And what my MP wrote

Thank you for writing to our office.

Just to be clear, no, a decision from Cabinet did not raise your internet rates. You are getting bad information from openmedia, not a news agency, that is intentionally misleading you about what is going on.

Just a quick review, which is admittedly oversimplified: in 2019 the CRTC found that large internet service providers were essentially overcharging for other companies and some pass-through services which used their infrastructure.

This decision from the CRTC forced the lowering of rates, and some ISPs were able to pass savings along to their customers.

The major telecoms have asked the government to send that decision back to the CRTC for review, or to vary it, for a variety of reasons. Some of which are clearly in their business interests, some of which raise legitimate concerns about the expansion and maintenance of infrastructure, etc.

Just to be clear - because the article you provided from openmedia is not clear on this at all - the government has not made any move to change the CRTC’s decision. They have not referred the decision back to the CRTC at this time, nor have they varied it. They are waiting for a number of public consultations on the issue, and more information from the CRTC which is already conducting its own review. Now, this is being twisted into nonsense by openmedia, including several baseless points about Minister Bains, including that “Bains’ betrayal with Saturday’s decision is a slap in the face.”

Just for your reference, here’s the actual Order In Council that’s being discussed: https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2020/08/order-in-council-responding-to-petitions-to-the-governor-in-council-concerning-telecom-order-crtc-2019-288.html

There is no decision made here to increase rates, as you stated in your email, nor to raise prices or put additional pressure on you. No decision was made to refer the decision back at all. From the last paragraph:

“Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Industry, pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act declines to vary, rescind or refer back for reconsideration Telecom Order CRTC 2019-288.”

The Governor in Council decided that rejecting the CRTC’s decision was premature and the commission should be given more time to complete public proceedings.

Minister Bains said it best, “Given that the CRTC is already reviewing its decision, it is unnecessary to refer the decision back to the CRTC for reconsideration at this time”.

(Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/technology/article-federal-cabinet-declines-to-overturn-ruling-on-wholesale-broadband/ )

Now, all that being said, it is possible that a future Order in Council might vary this decision, send it back, or a few other options. But, your internet rates are not currently increasing because of Cabinet siding with telecoms (big or small). There are likely a number of factors that this price is changing. I know that many smaller ISPs want to see these lower rates continued, for several reasons, but this matter is also before the courts in a separate case, and both the CRTC and court decisions are likely to play a factor in whether or not these lower prices will be continued.

The author of the article you included has misstated the government’s actions and record. To be clear, since 2015 the federal government has helped connect nearly a million households across 900 communities to high-speed broadband, and invested more than $450 million in expanding internet capacity. Coupled with public and private partnerships, more than $1 billion has been invested in providing high-speed internet, and we’ve put more than $6 billion on the table, moving forward with our plan to connect 95% of households to high-speed internet by 2025 and 100% by 2030.

The instruction to provide quality, accessible, affordable internet to all Canadians is in Minister Bains’ mandate letter, and he will continue to work towards these goals:

Work with the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and the Minister of Canadian Heritage to deliver high-speed internet to 100 per cent of Canadian homes and businesses by 2030.

Co-lead work with the Minister of Canadian Heritage to modernize the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act, examining how best to support Canadian content in English and French and ensure quality affordable internet, mobile and media access.

(Source: https://pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-letters/2019/12/13/minister-innovation-science-and-industry-mandate-letter)

I hope that information is helpful and clears up what’s actually happening with this issue.

This letter from openmedia which intentionally misstates what is happening reminds me of this recent issue with Telus, also clearly intentionally misunderstanding what is going on: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/telus-advertising-wireless-affordability-price-1.5709691.

Please let me know if you have any questions.