Foreign ownership: Government sees writing on wall

OTTAWA, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - The Harper government can see the writing on the wall with regard to foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector," says the president of Canada's largest telecommunications union.

"Today's comments from Industry Minister Tony Clement are a clear indication that the government does not have the public or political support to loosen foreign ownership restrictions in the telecommunications sector, so it is postponing a decision until after a federal election, instead of doing the right thing which is to kill the idea."

Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union President Dave Coles says "linking foreign ownership to the availability of spectrum is just a manoeuvre to avoid making a decision."

"The premise that we need more foreign companies to compete for available spectrum is false. We already have 11 Canadian companies using the available spectrum and there is no need for foreign companies to join the fray, nor is there any evidence that allowing foreign companies to enter the process will be of any benefit to consumers."

"Wireless prices in Canada are already competitive internationally, and our country has more competition in this sector than any other except the U.S."

This week, CEP will be lobbying MPs on Parliament Hill on the subject of loosening foreign ownership restrictions in the telecommunications sector. "We have solid evidence that this is a bad idea for Canada," says Coles.

For further information:

Dave Coles [phone]