CRTC pushes Big Telecom to be more transparent, to set the stage for more choice for Canadians

“This represents a key part of a huge shift,” says OpenMedia.ca Executive Director Steve Anderson. “The CRTC has been the site of some major changes as the pro-Internet community has gotten more and more active. The Commission has moved from being very industry-centric and closed-off, to becoming an increasingly public interest-oriented regulatory body. We’re pleased to see the Commission working towards transparency and we hope this continues.”

In announcing the consultation that preceded this decision earlier this year, the CRTC mentioned the role that Big Telecom transparency would play in serving the public interest:

The Commission considers that it is in the public interest to obtain as full and complete a record as possible on which to base its decisions with respect to rates for wholesale services. It further considers that it is in the public interest that this information should be obtained on as timely a basis as possible.

The CRTC has made two other public interest-oriented decisions this month: one with the aim of developing national rules to protect cell phone users, and another that blocked Bell’s takeover of Astral Media.

About OpenMedia.ca

OpenMedia.ca is a grassroots organization that safeguards the possibilities of the open and affordable Internet. The group works towards informed and participatory digital policy.

OpenMedia.ca is best known for its StopTheMeter.ca campaign that engaged over half-a-million Canadians and its StopSpying.ca campaign that stopped warrantless online spying bill C-30.

Contact

Lindsey Pinto
Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca
1-778-238-7710
[email protected]