Rogers is under fire after its CEO, Tony Staffieri, skipped a scheduled appearance before a parliamentary committee investigating price increases for customers locked into contracts.
Instead of Staffieri, Rogers sent Bret Leech, its president of residential operations, to attend virtually, which sparked outrage among MPs, according to CBC News. Leech did not mention a single word during his appearance, but rather was told to let his boss that MPs were angry about his absence.
The committee had specifically requested Staffieri to testify after reports (such as ours first back in August) revealed that Rogers had raised fees for TV box rentals by $7 a month.
This move frustrated many customers who believed their contracts guaranteed fixed rates. Some MPs accused Rogers of avoiding accountability, with NDP MP Brian Masse calling it a “rope-a-dope” tactic to sidestep questions, emphasizing he had no interest in asking Leech questions.
Conservative MP Rick Perkins criticized Staffieri’s repeated absences, saying, “How many times does he get to dodge before we say enough is enough?”
MP Michelle Rempel Garner added, “I think what we’re experiencing here is much like the service customers experience with Rogers,” adding, “The behaviour of the CEO towards this committee … they think we’re stupid, colleagues, they really do.”
The committee responded by unanimously voting to summon Staffieri, requiring him to appear within seven days. Rogers later said Staffieri missed the hearing due to an “unforeseen scheduling conflict” and promised compliance with the summons. This means the Rogers CEO will appear before MPs next week. As for what MPs can really do about price hikes, aside from lashing out at the CEO, that remains to be seen.
The controversy stems from customers’ complaints about Rogers TV contracts, which allow price increases despite being marketed as fixed-rate agreements. Many were caught off guard by the fee hikes on TV rental boxes, prompting frustration and calls for transparency.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has also expressed concern, stating that it plans to address such contract terms in upcoming public consultations. Meanwhile, MPs have extended their scrutiny to other ‘Big 3’ telecoms, requesting appearances from Bell and Telus executives to explain similar pricing practices.
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Roger's purchase of shaw was all they needed to increase rates. Both companies are terrible and I'll never be 1 of their customers
Jeez sure hope these mps don't have to ever call their customer support
Rogers really going above and beyond for its customers right there. This is what Shaw customers now get too.
This ought to be on every competetors advertisements. If the Canadian government couldn't be bothered not allowing this merge to go through, time for Canadians to vote with their wallet and make Rogers feel the pinch instead of us.
This country is cooked. Nobody has basic accountability skills anymore from Government on down
I complained to rogers shaw when I saw my bill. I told them to remove that charge. They said I had agreed to it when I signed the contract. I said fine. You treat a 30 year customer like crap and the result is I will fire you. He said I'd have to pay out the contract. I said OK. You are fired. Bye. Then I got wait and let me see what we can do. End result no 7.00 charges
I believe this whole story, but I can believe it's even worse than this. Rogers denied me a new cell phone plan after I showed them five pieces of ID, including that I was a past Shaw customer. The reason they denied me is because they said they didn't like my name and they told me to go to the government office to change my name. I signed up with Telus the next day with one piece of ID. Scotiabank also has the same scummy business practices except they will harass you until they get their money. I canceled all relations between all three companies. Will never do business with them ever again and will also promote other people never to do business with them ever again.
CEOs are shameless
Rogers is treading water while satellite cellular and internet streaming services will eventually make its business model as buoyant as the Titanic.
The rest of the Robellus trio will fail even sooner. Big changes coming soon.
Drop rogers cable and buy a HDTV antenna. You can pick up many free channels and it is legal.
You will save hundreds of dollars. Two can play this game. Don't drop a dime on Rogers …
This government is just like some sort of crazed squirl… One moment offering subsides, tax credits and big bursaries to Rogers to deploy WTTH, fiber in remote communities, then the next moment scolding them with boiling hot water.
Just complete nonsense these Liberals. It feels like some sort of abusive relationship…