NDP: Rogers must stop gouging Canadians or be banned from federal contracts

OTTAWA—On Monday, NDP critic for Innovation, Science and Industry Brian Masse (Windsor West) called on the Liberal government to put the multi-billion-dollar company Rogers on notice: reverse their services price hikes or face consequences such as no more federal contracts.

Last week, media reported that Rogers customers believed their monthly charges were locked in for two years, only to find out their TV boxes weren’t part of the promised price. Canadians’ bills are going up and Rogers refuses to reimburse the hidden fees.

Masse says these telco giants must be put on notice by the government to make them stop the gouging.

“Canadians work hard, play by the rules, but they are tired of being misled and ripped off by telco giants like Rogers on their bills,” said Masse. “The Liberals have been letting this happen because they’re too weak to protect consumers from getting gouged on their telco services. Outrageously, Justin Trudeau is handing out millions of taxpayer dollars to these same CEOs gouging Canadians. This needs to stop. Canadians are counting on their government to send a clear and strong signal that there will be consequences to gouging — Rogers must reverse the TV boxes charges or be banned from federal contracts.”

In 2023, the Liberals approved the multibillion-dollar merger of Rogers-Shaw. It’s been reported that while Rogers’ CEO promised lower prices at the time, earlier this year, Rogers upped the price of some cellphone, internet and home phone plans. Masse said the Liberals have done nothing to stop the gouging, but instead, handed Rogers over $165 million in federal contracts in the past 2 years.

“Canadians are getting gouged, and it’s not their fault. Justin Trudeau let Canadians down by approving the multibillion-dollar merger of Rogers-Shaw—a merger that makes more profits for CEOs, cuts jobs and makes you pay more.

“As for Pierre Poilievre, he won’t protect you from Rogers weaseling their way into your pockets because billionaire Edward Rogers—the owner of the company—is funding his election campaign. He is only thinking about himself, and not about protecting you and your wallet from corporate greed. Under a New Democratic government, there would be no free passes to telco giants—gouging Canadians would have consequences.”