The federal NDP is calling out Rogers for hiking prices and misleading customers.
On Monday, Brian Masse, the NDP critic for Innovation, Science and Industry, demanded the Liberal government take action, warning that Rogers should reverse its price increases or be banned from federal contracts.
Recently, some Rogers customers complained that their bills went up despite being told their rates would stay locked for two years. The surprise? Their TV boxes weren’t covered in the promised pricing, leading to unexpected fees. Rogers has refused to refund the charges. iPhone in Canada was one of the first to report the news in late August, and other media outlets such as the CBC extended the debate over the price hikes.
“Canadians work hard and follow the rules, but they’re tired of being misled and overcharged by telecom giants like Rogers,” Masse said. He added that the Liberals have done little to protect consumers from rising prices. “It’s outrageous that the government hands millions of taxpayer dollars to CEOs who are ripping off Canadians.”
In 2023, the Liberals approved Rogers’ multibillion-dollar merger with Shaw, which the NDP opposed. While Rogers’ CEO promised lower prices, the company raised costs on some cellphone, internet, and home phone plans this year. Over the past two years, Rogers has secured $165 million in federal contracts, despite complaints from customers, says the NDP.
“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,” said Masse.
The NDP says a government led by them would make sure telecom companies face real consequences for unfair price hikes on Canadians.
The strong words from the NDP come ahead of a possible early federal election, with ongoing pressure coming from the opposition Conservatives, calling for a “carbon tax election”.
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Well, good for them. Big talk though.
Nationalize the whole damn industry.
Relax the foreign investment rules, which in turn should invite competition to the marketplace.
I so don't miss Rogers! It was nice the day I could say goodbye to them. Not sure how they get away with what they do. They used to be so nice to deal with when Ted Rogers was alive. Now the inmates are running the asylum.
Xfinity (the new rebranded name) boxes cannot be purchased! These boxes are made to be rented forever and that baffles me no one is even mentioning this part! These boxes are worth a generous $80 cost! The west boxes are going to $12 monthly, the exact same boxes in the east from Roger’s are $17, and the same boxes with Videotron in Quebec are $5 monthly! This is all a big scam and the for life rental seems to be ignored by everyone! Bell Fibe is a bit better as you can purchase their boxes, and with them after 5 years the box charges are no longer applied and become free as long as the service remains active! Everyone just covering the surface issues here, but the roots are much deeper in the pool of problems and deceit! Rogers just had an unnamed investor pour $7 billion into them, and days later they rebrand their service Xfinity from American mega cable giant Comcast! Seems Roger’s is working WITH the American competition to their advantage since they can’t fully enter Canada! I’m just probably making this all up in my head, I’m sure one day things will get better 🤷🏻♂️😂
When I saw the work banned I was hoping it meant banning Rogers entirely. I got excited for a second.
Robbers THellus and BHell all trying to swindle as much cash as possible because satellite data services are going to make land based wireline and wireless services obsolete soon.
The gravy train for them is going to end soon, maybe another 5 to 10 years.
I am a Rogers customer unfortunately. As soon as my contract is up, I am gone!! Enough is enough!
Roger telus bell all greedy corporations all guikty of price fixing.
In Manitoba we have competition like Freedom Mobile who offer 5G service, unlimited data starting at $34 /month and up. I'm so happy to ditch Rogers, Telus, Bell. Don't suck up to those big tech giants, the smaller guys are around for cheaper and they use the same cell towers so don't fall for that no coverage gimmick
All of these Bell Rogers and Telus are taking advantage of us because they know they can so Enough is Enough and hopefully a change is coming and the party's over time to crash and give them a wake-up call