Innovation, Science and Economic Development Min. Navdeep Bains is proposing a new direction for the CRTC that puts the Canadian consumer first.

Bains’ proposed policy directive would require the CRTC to consider competition, affordability, consumer interests and innovation in its telecommunications decisions and demonstrate to Canadians that it has done so.

A press release says the proposed order aims to improve the affordability of internet and cellphone services for Canadians. It comes less than a week after the release of the commission’s heavily-criticized report on misleading and aggressive sales practices in the telecommunications industry. Since the appointment of Ian Scott – a former Telus and Telesat lobbyist – as CRTC chair, there has been a mounting chorus suggesting the tone of some decisions are those of a captured regulator more concerned with safeguarding the interests of industry stakeholders than addressing the concerns of consumer groups and promoting competition.

“Our government is focused on improving the quality, coverage and, most importantly, the price of telecommunications services for Canadians—no matter where they live. We are giving clear direction to the CRTC that Canadian consumers must be at the forefront of all future decisions. We are ensuring that telecommunications policy will be made through a consumer-first lens to ensure Canadians have access to quality services at more affordable prices,” said Bains.

The release says competition is the best way to bring down prices of telecommunications services, including cellphone plans. Citing data from the 2018 Price Comparison Study of Telecommunications Service in Canada and Select Foreign jurisdictions, ISED says in regions with strong competition, wireless data plans are up to 32 per cent cheaper than the national average.