News companies ask Competition Bureau to look at Meta news-blocking

A group of news organizations have filed an application with the Competition Bureau over Meta Platforms Inc.’s decision to block Canadian news feeds from Facebook and Instagram. The Meta move comes in response to the passage of the Online Streaming Act. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …

Stakeholders call for a “whole-of-government” approach to competition reform

Stakeholders who submitted responses to the federal government’s consultation on the future of competition policy in Canada urged for greater consultation between various offices and to look at privacy and cybersecurity issues at the same time. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …

Competition Bureau releases recommendations for changes to law

The Competition Bureau Wednesday released its recommendations regarding changes to Canada’s competition law. The voluminous filing is in response to government initiatives seeking to overhaul the Competition Act. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

On Rogers-Shaw, Champagne faces policy choice

All eyes are on Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who is the last line of defense for opponents of the pending merger between Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. “It’s going to wind up like an albatross — an albatross around one’s neck —  if he makes the wrong decision. And he’ll be remembered as …

Updated: Federal Court of Appeal dismisses Competition Bureau case

Tuesday afternoon the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed with costs the Commissioner of Competition’s appeal of the Competition Tribunal’s decision on the merger of Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

Konrad von Finckenstein named to Order of Canada

Former CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein has been appointed a member of the Order of Canada. The honour was announced in late December by Rideau Hall. Von Finckenstein was also Commissioner of the Competition Bureau for seven years. He served at the CRTC from 2007 to 2012.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already …

UPDATED: Rogers comes out victorious in competition challenge over Shaw buyout

Canada’s Competition Tribunal is dismissing the Commissioner of Competition’s application to block Rogers Communications Inc.’s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. The tribunal released its summary decision late-Thursday evening, removing the last barrier in the $26 billion deal. The core issue in the proceeding was whether or not the plan to sell Shaw’s main wireless brand …

Competition Bureau undercuts its own case, National Bank analyst maintains

As spectators await the release of a decision in the takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. by Rogers Communications Inc. from the Competition Tribunal, one industry analyst is focusing on a specific aspect of the Competition Bureau’s (CB) argument against the merger. Closing arguments were made last week. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already …

CRTC’s regulatory policy plays central role in Rogers-Shaw closing arguments

In the drama that has unfolded in front of the Competition Tribunal over the past month, as the tribunal hears arguments on whether or not it should approve Rogers Communications Inc.‘s $26 billion plan to buy Shaw Communications Inc., an unexpected character has been the CRTC’s third-party internet access (TPIA) regime.  This content is available …

Rogers-Shaw Tribunal hearings reveal the extent of Telus efforts to block merger

The second week of the Competition Tribunal’s hearing into whether or not Rogers Communications Inc. should be allowed to acquire Shaw Communications Inc. and sell Shaw’s Freedom to Quebecor Inc. began with the revelation that Telus Corp. had a lobbying and public relations effort aimed at stopping the merger, known as Project Fox.  This content …

Champagne announcement may signal eagerness to approve Rogers-Shaw deal: analysts

Financial analysts reacting to Tuesday’s announcement from Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne – that he would both formally deny the transfer of spectrum assets from Shaw Communications Inc. to Rogers Communications Inc. while at the same time placing a set of “expectations” on Quebecor Inc.‘s putative takeover of Freedom Mobile – were cautiously optimistic about the …

Rogers, Shaw, accused of fishing expedition over Bell, Telus, subpoenas

Telus Corp. and BCE Inc. have accused Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. of abusing the legal process by asking them to turn over large volumes of documents to the Competition Tribunal, as part of the legal process over the merger of Rogers and Shaw. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …

Rogers wants more details on how Québecor-Freedom deal allegedly harms competition

Rogers Communications Inc. wants competition commissioner Matthew Boswell to explain exactly what “difficulties”  Québecor Inc.’s Vidéotron will allegedly face with the purchase of Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom Mobile. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

VMedia purchase will sweeten Freedom deal for regulators: Quebecor’s PKP

Quebecor Inc.’s president and CEO has said the company’s recent purchase of VMedia Inc. will put it in a position to bundle services and convince the regulators that its purchase of Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom mobile will be good for competition. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …

Competition Bureau not satisfied with Freedom divestiture to Quebecor

In a Wednesday morning joint statement, Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. say that mediation sessions with the Competition Bureau have failed to assuage the regulator’s opposition to the merger of the two companies at this stage of the Competition Tribunal process.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …

Lawson Hunter appointed to Order of Canada

Lawson Hunter, a former Commissioner of the Competition Bureau and a one-time BCE Inc. executive, has been made a member of the Order of Canada, the Governor-General’s office announced in late December. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …

Court orders Google to turn over documents to Competition Bureau

The Federal Court has ordered Alphabet Inc.‘s Google to turn over a number of records to the Competition Bureau after the regulator requested the documents as part of its investigation into what it suspects are anti-competitive practices involving the sale of advertising on YouTube. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …

Competition Bureau asks Court to compel Google records disclosure in inquiry into YouTube ad sales

The Competition Bureau has asked a Federal Court to require Alphabet Inc.‘s Google to produce records it needs as part of an investigation the regulator is conducting into allegations that Google is “leveraging its market power in the supply of in-stream video advertising space into adjacent advertising technology markets.” This content is available to wirereport.ca …

CRTC delays MVNO hearing to Feb. 18

The CRTC’s public hearing in its review of mobile wireless services, which was originally scheduled to be held in January, has now been pushed back to Feb. 18. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Some consumers uncertain about wholesale competitor quality: Comp Bureau

Despite being “impressed” by the competitive presence of wholesale-based internet competitors, the Competition Bureau said there’s still a bit of uncertainty about how far that competitive dynamic will go into the future, according to its study on residential broadband internet services.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …

CRTC says no to Competition Bureau request for information

The CRTC has told the Competition Bureau it won’t be compelling telecoms to turn over a slew of detailed information the bureau was asking for — though the telecoms will effectively have to answer many of the same questions anyway, since the CRTC issued its own request for information earlier this month that covers much of …

Competition Bureau attempting to ‘hijack’ CRTC process, telecoms say

A request from the Competition Bureau asking the CRTC to require telecoms to disclose detailed, confidential information about their wireless operations is unreasonable, BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. are arguing. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

No clear suitor for Corus assets after report of sale: analysts

Corus Entertainment Inc. CEO Doug Murphy is refusing to comment on a media report that Shaw Communications Inc. is looking to sell its stake in Corus. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …

Matthew Boswell to head Comp Bureau in 1 year interim term

The Competition Bureau has an interim replacement for outgoing commissioner John Pecman, the government announced Wednesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. FREE …

Competition Bureau reviewing Postmedia, Torstar deal

The Competition Bureau has confirmed in an email they will review a recent deal between Torstar Corp. and Postmedia, which saw the exchange of 41 commuter, local or community newspapers between the two Canadian media organizations on Monday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …

Competition Bureau consulting on big data

The Competition Bureau is inviting comments on a white paper on big data. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. FREE TRIAL Two …

Competition Bureau shouldn’t compel market studies: C.D. Howe

Granting the Competition Bureau additional powers to compel businesses to provide information for market studies “could result in significant costs for Canadian businesses,” according to the C.D. Howe Institute.

It noted in a release Thursday that John Pecman, the commissioner of competition, has advocated for such powers, stating that agencies in other countries are able to compel information from regulators and companies.

Competition Bureau fines Amazon $1M

Amazon.com Inc. must pay a $1-million fine over the pricing practices on its Canadian website following a Competition Bureau investigation.

The bureau said in a press release Wednesday that Amazon compared its prices to a regular or list price, which “created the impression that prices for items offered on www.amazon.ca were lower than prevailing market prices.”

Competition Bureau drops Apple competition case

The Competition Bureau said Friday it has discontinued an investigation into whether Apple Inc. engaged in anticompetitive practices related to sales of its iPhone.

The bureau was looking at “contractual terms that reference rivals as well as other terms that impose obligations on wireless carriers relating to the sale and marketing of the iPhone in Canada,” according to a statement posted on its website.

Competition Bureau sweep looks at online reviews

The Competition Bureau has wrapped up a sweep of online reviews and endorsements, as part of an annual initiative it conducts with other consumer protection agencies around the world.

It said in a monthly update Monday that this year’s target was “aimed at identifying websites that may use online reviews or endorsements as part of their business model.”

CRTC not twiddling thumbs as industry changes: Blais

OTTAWA — On the same day that a new report was released arguing the CRTC’s role and authority should be reduced in response to technological change, CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais defended the relevance of the commission in the digital age in front of a Parliamentary committee.

CRTC consulting on MTS licence transfer to Bell

The CRTC said Tuesday that it wants input on Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.’s application to transfer its broadcast distribution licences to BCE Inc. as part of the proposed acquisition of MTS by Bell.

Competition Bureau appoints chief economist

Paul Johnson has been named as the Competition Bureau’s leader of economic analysis, where he will play a key role in merger reviews, the competition commissioner said Monday.

In a Monday press release, Johnson, who earned a PhD in economics from the University of Montreal, was announced as the bureau’s new T.D. MacDonald Chair in Industrial Economics.

Competition Bureau warns fans about sports streaming fine print

The Competition Bureau said in a press release Monday that customers signing up for sports streaming websites should make sure they understand what they’re getting when they subscribe to such services.

Customers “should be aware that important information about the availability of some games may not be adequately disclosed, or may be buried in fine print disclaimers that are easy to miss,” it said.

Advocacy groups take aim at data caps in zero-rating review

Questions around telecoms’ usage of data caps should be at the centre of the CRTC’s proceeding on differential pricing practices, advocacy groups said in interventions, calling for the commission to impose limits on their use.

Data caps are “un-necessary evil,” said the Equitable Internet Coalition, whose members include the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), which asked the CRTC to focus the proceeding on data caps and not differential pricing.

Bell, MTS receive court approval for takeover

BCE Inc. and Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. have cleared yet another hurdle in their quest to combine, as the deal has now received court approval from the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench, according to a Wednesday press release.

Bell to pay $12M for premium text message charges

The Competition Bureau said Friday it has reached an agreement with BCE Inc. in which the company will rebate customers up to $11.8 million for premium text messaging charges.

It will also donate $800,000 to digital research media and awareness.

The Competition Bureau said in a press release that the “amount of money available for consumer rebates is the most obtained to date under a Bureau agreement.”

Bell-MTS deal weakens Rogers’ ability to compete: academics

In a submission to the Competition Bureau arguing that allowing BCE Inc. to acquire Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.

Competition Bureau wants input on Bell-MTS deal

The Competition Bureau is asking for comment on BCE Inc.’s $3.9-billion bid to buy Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., it said in a press release Tuesday.

Bell’s MTS purchase to boost competition: MEI

The $3.9-billion acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. by BCE Inc. would increase competition in Manitoba’s wireless market, according to the authors of a new report from the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI).

Experts say approval of Bell’s MTS acquisition likely

BCE Inc. announced Monday morning that it will purchase Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. in a $3.9 billion transaction that, if approved, will see the number of players in Manitoba’s telecom market fall from four to three.

Competition Bureau updates IP enforcement guidelines

The Competition Bureau has updated its Intellectual Property Enforcement Guidelines, as part of what it said in a Thursday press release would be an annual review.

Competition Bureau says Telus will pay $7.3M in premium texting case

The Competition Bureau said Wednesday that it had reached an agreement with Telus Corp. to end legal proceedings in relation to premium texting services that former and current customers have paid for.

The Competition Bureau said in a press release that Telus would issue up to $7.3 million in refunds to customers after it found Telus made “false or misleading representations in advertisements for premium text messages in pop-up ads, apps and on social media,” and added that this was the largest consumer rebate obtained under a bureau agreement.

Competition Bureau seeks info on iPhone pricing from carriers

The Competition Bureau has filed applications in Federal Court seeking information from wireless carriers about how they set prices for Apple Inc.’s devices.

Glentel sales up more than 30%

Glentel Inc., a retailer of mobile products and services, said Thursday that its fourth-quarter revenue was up 32.8 per cent from a year earlier to $533.1 million, though its quarterly profit declined to $830,000 from $8.3 million.

Glentel, which operates outlets such as Wireless Wave and Tbooth Wireless, said in a press release that Canadian sales were up 20 per cent in the quarter. It said the mobile market in Canada "appears to be recovering from the negative ramifications" of the wireless code that took effect in late 2013.

Rogers settles with Competition Bureau on texting proceeding

Rogers Communications Inc. and the Competition Bureau announced Monday that they had reached an agreement to end legal proceedings against the carrier in relation to so-called premium texting services that customers paid for.

The Competition Bureau said in a news release that Rogers would refund about $5.42 million to customers in relation to what it said were "false or misleading representations to customers in advertisements for premium text messages appearing in pop-up ads, apps and social media."

Ont. municipality still interested in Eastlink buyout: report

The Municipality of Kincardine in southwestern Ontario is interested revisiting the issue of selling publicly owned Bruce Telecom to Eastlink-owner Bragg Communications Inc., according to a news report, despite a potential deal last year that was called off after the Competition Bureau raised concern.

Glentel purchase could help Bell, Rogers avoid competition: analysts

A deal announced Christmas Eve to split the ownership of wireless retailer Glentel Inc. between BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. will help the incumbent carriers stave off competition from a potential fourth national wireless player in Canada, according to analysts.

TVA purchase of Vision Globale cleared

Quebecor Inc.'s broadcasting unit TVA Group said last week that its purchase of TV production company Vision Globale has closed following approval from the federal Competition Bureau.

TVA CEO Julie Tremblay said in a Dec. 30 press release that the acquisition "will enable us to diversify our revenue streams, which are heavily dependent on the advertising carried by our over-the-air television network."

Apple ordered to provide records to Competition Bureau

OTTAWA — Apple Inc.'s Canadian subsidiary has been ordered by the Federal Court to hand over records and other relevant information to help the Competition Bureau determine whether the technology company has engaged in anti-competitive practices with Canadian wireless carriers.

However, Apple's willingness to comply is in question, according the remarks made Wednesday by bureau lawyer Derek Leschinsky during the court hearing where the bureau's request was granted.

Competition Bureau asks Apple to turn over records on iPhone contracts

The Competition Bureau filed an application on Tuesday in federal court to compel Apple Inc. to turn over records related to an investigation into whether the company used anti-competitive language in its contracts with wireless carriers.

Competition Bureau spokesman Greg Scott said in an email that there is no “conclusion of wrongdoing” by Apple at this time and that the Competition Tribunal hasn’t received a formal complaint on the issue.

The bureau did not list the source of the investigation.

TVA Group to purchase Vision Globale

Quebecor Inc.'s broadcasting operation TVA Group said Thursday it has reached an agreement to purchase film- and TV-production company Vision Globale for about $118 million.

TVA said the transaction is subject to approval by the Competition Bureau.

Budget bill gives CRTC sharper teeth

New legislation proposed by the federal government will expand the powers of the CRTC, giving it the ability to fine offenders, share information with the Competition Bureau and exert control over companies that operate telecom services but do not own network infrastructure.

Amendments to the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act, under which the CRTC operates, are included in the government’s latest omnibus budget bill, introduced Oct. 23.

Wireline wholesale hearing to put focus on ISP access

The CRTC faces another major policy hearing next month, and this one has the potential to affect independent Internet service providers that depend on major telecom companies to connect them to customers.

In September, the commission held separate hearings on the future of the television industry and wholesale wireless access. On Nov. 24, the CRTC begins up to nine days of public proceedings into wireline wholesale services.

Government to ban paper bills for telecoms

The budget implementation bill introduced by the federal government in the House of Commons Thursday would forbid telecommunications companies for charging customers for paper bills.

Quebecor says newspaper sale not connected to wireless expansion

Quebecor Inc. says there is no connection between the $316-million proposed sale of its English-language newspapers to Postmedia Network Canada Corp. and its intention of expanding its mobile services across Canada.

The company also said Monday that it is evaluating the “long-term viability” of its Sun News Network television channel, which is not part of the sale that includes its Sun-branded newspapers.

Bell Aliant makes concession on Ontera purchase

The Competition Bureau said Wednesday that Bell Aliant Inc. has responded to the bureau's concerns surrounding its purchase of an Ontario-government-owned telecommunications provider.

The bureau said in a press release Bell Aliant has agreed to lease a "significant portion" of Ontera's fibre network in northern Ontario to Eastlink.

Eastlink no longer buying Bruce Telecom

Bragg Communications Inc., which operates Eastlink, won’t be buying Bruce Telecom, the Competition Bureau said Friday.

The bureau said in a press release that it reviewed the proposed acquisition and concluded that had it “proceeded as proposed, it would have likely resulted in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in the towns of Port Elgin and Paisley, [Ont.], where the two firms are the only providers of wireline telecommunications services.”

Regulatory uncertainty could hurt innovation: experts

TORONTO — Ongoing interventions by Industry Canada, the Competition Bureau and the CRTC into Canada’s wireless industry are likely to harm future investments by telecom companies, Brookings Institute economist Robert Crandall told an audience at the Canadian Telecom Summit on Monday.

Crandall was one of four presenters at a panel on competition in telecom, in which few kind words were spoken about the government’s attempts to encourage wireless competition.

Competition Bureau not appealing Chatr decision

The federal Competition Bureau said Monday it will not appeal a court decision that hit Rogers Communications Inc. with a much lighter penalty than it had sought in relation to Rogers’ claims that its Chatr wireless service had fewer dropped calls than competitors.

In February, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ordered Rogers to pay a $500,000 penalty for not exercising due diligence before making such claims in 2010.

High roaming rates ‘likely’ hurting competition, says bureau

The Competition Bureau said high roaming rates charged to domestic wireless competitors are “likely” hurting the level of wireless competition in Canada.

On Wednesday, the bureau said in a release that “Canada’s largest wireless companies have an incentive to use high mobile wireless roaming rates to ensure that new entrants are not, and do not become, fully effective competitors.

Competition bureau cites telecommunications as area of concern

The Competition Bureau said Thursday that Canadians have identified telecommunications as an area the office should target in advocating for increased competition.

The bureau said in a news release that telecommunications emerged in a recent public consultation as a sector that could benefit from more competition, along with the pharmaceutical industry and self-regulated professions.

Competition Bureau wants closer cooperation with CRTC

Last month's deal for more cooperation between the Competition Bureau and the CRTC is “a first step, baby step,” Commissioner of Competition John Pecman said Thursday at a conference in Ottawa.

“What really needs to be done to make that relationship much more coherent between our two agencies is to have some framework change that allows us to exchange confidential information. Right now there is an impediment,” he said during a question and answer session at the Canadian Bar Association's annual competition law conference.

CRTC, Competition Bureau sign cooperation agreement

The CRTC and the federal Competition Bureau reached a deal to encourage more cooperation between the two organizations, the CRTC said.

Pecman named commissioner of competition

John Pecman was named to a five-year term as new commissioner of the Competition Bureau, Industry Canada said Wednesday.

Pecman has served as interim commissioner since former commissioner Melanie Aitken stepped down last year, three years into her five-year term. He has been with the bureau for nearly 30 years, having worked "in every enforcement branch of the Bureau and held a variety of increasingly senior investigative and managerial positions,” a release said.

The commissioner is appointed on the advice of the federal cabinet.

Chatr hearings wrap up

The Ontario Superior Court wrapped up hearings in Toronto last week on the Competition Bureau's lawsuit against Rogers Communications Inc. for alleged "misleading advertising" related to its discount Chatr wireless brand.

Final arguments finished last week for the Competition Bureau's court action against Rogers for a $10-million penalty for advertising that ran in the summer and fall of 2010, when Rogers’ brand Chatr advertised “fewer dropped calls than new wireless carriers.”

Competition Bureau supports regs for shorter wireless contracts, free device unlocking

The CRTC should introduce rules to prevent wireless carriers from hindering customers who want to switch providers and require carriers to provide clearer service and pricing information to the public, the Competition Bureau said in regulatory a filing.

Rogers says judge can ‘light a match’ to Competition Bureau case

TORONTO—Rogers Communications Inc. conducted industry standard tests to support its “fewer dropped calls” advertisements in 2010 that proved the ads to be true and now provide a basis to “light a match” to the Competition Bureau’s $10-million case against the company for misleading advertising, a lawyer for Rogers said at a court hearing Thursday.

Competition Bureau investigating Bell Media carriage agreements: court documents

The federal Competition Bureau is investigating whether BCE Inc. is using its stable of “high-demand television” channels to place “anti-competitive” restrictions on competing broadcast distributors, documents filed with the Federal Court show.