Telus Applauds Ottawa’s Internet Ruling as “Landmark” for Canada

While Rogers and Cogeco have criticized the federal government for refusing to overturn the CRTC’s wholesale internet policy, Telus is backing Ottawa’s decision to maintain the current fibre framework, calling it a “landmark ruling” that promotes long-term infrastructure investment and consumer choice.

“We commend the federal government’s decision to uphold the CRTC’s wholesale fibre framework, a landmark ruling that reinforces Canada’s commitment to competition, choice, innovation and nation-building infrastructure investment,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Telus added that the decision shows Canadian policy is being driven by fairness and long-term interests. “This decision affirms that public policy in our country is guided by due process, a national diversity of voices, evidence and the long-term interests of Canadians.”

“It sends a strong signal to consumers, businesses and investors that the Canadian regulatory system is robust, transparent and effective in balancing the needs of stakeholders, and enabling government policy.”

The company said it remains focused on infrastructure and innovation: “At Telus, we are firmly focused on the road ahead. We are passionately committed to building national infrastructure and technology for the benefit of consumers, and the productivity and innovation of our private and public sectors.”

Telus also tied the ruling to broader national goals. “Telus is mobilizing our capital, technology and talent to help address the defining challenges of our time, including digital inequality, the responsible development of AI, transformation of the healthcare system, environmental sustainability, and ensuring food safety and security for the benefit of all Canadians.”

Hence its recently new brand tagline, “We’re always building Canada”, playing up the patriotic message.

“We are grateful for the government’s leadership and look forward to building a more connected, competitive and innovative Canada for generations to come…on an inclusive basis,” concluded Telus.

Telus supports the CRTC’s internet ruling because it gives the company the ability to resell internet services over competitors’ fibre networks—mainly Bell’s in Ontario and Quebec, where Telus has limited infrastructure and a smaller market share compared to Western Canada. Bell and Rogers view this as a threat, arguing that Telus is benefiting from their network investments without having to build its own in those regions.