After Telus and Bell got a tongue lashing from the CRTC, it’s Rogers’ turn now. The regulator sent the carrier a letter on June 16 saying its new batch of fees look like they’re breaking federal rules.
A staff letter just released by the telecom regulator shows Rogers started charging customers a $40 device setup fee, a $25 shipping charge, and some kind of SIM fee starting June 16, 2026. As of June 12, a new CRTC policy kicked in meant to stop carriers from making it harder for Canadians to switch providers.
Nanao Kachi, the CRTC’s Director of Social and Consumer Policy, wants answers from Rogers, and fast. In a letter addressed to Howard Slawner, the company’s VP of Telecom, Kachi spelled it out for the telecom.
“As you are aware, Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-43, Prohibition of fees that are a barrier to switching cellphone and Internet plans, came into effect on 12 June 2026,” Kachi wrote. “It set out the type of activation, modification, and cancellation fees that are prohibited by s. 27.04 of the Telecommunications Act (the Act).”
Rogers isn’t the only one getting a letter like this. The CRTC already sent similar warnings to Bell and Telus after both carriers rolled out their own new charges. The regulator says these fees don’t qualify as the “truly optional” services that would be exempt from the rule.
Now Rogers has a pretty short window to respond, just two days.
“I’m requesting that you confirm whether Rogers intends to cease its new practice of charging its customers a device setup or shipping charge,” Kachi wrote. “If Rogers does not cease this practice, explain why and provide supporting rationale as to why Rogers considers this practice to be in compliance with the exemption for optional services and products set out in the above-noted policy, or in compliance with the policy more generally. This information must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 18 June 2026.”
The regulator made it clear it’s ready to push harder if Rogers doesn’t fall in line.
“Commission staff will consider all available compliance options to ensure that fees that are a barrier to switching cellphone and Internet plans are prohibited as intended by the Act,” the letter said.
The the CRTC really be able to reign in the Big 3 telcos in Canada over these new fees?
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Blah, blah, blah. All talk. Some say there needs to be a repeat of Brian Thompson in Canada’s telecom industry because there’s no deterrant. Costs or fines will continue to be passed onto the public. This will result in other telecos having to increase their prices too. That’s the game kids!