TV Alliance demands fair treatment for consumers

    
    -  "Heritage Minister James Moore called for special consumer hearings on
       the TV debate, but consumers at an unfair disadvantage in the process"

    -  "It's time to regulate the basic rate for TV services to protect
       Canadians living in poverty from unfair billing practices by cable and
       satellite companies"
    

OTTAWA , Oct. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The TV Alliance today called on Heritage Minister James Moore to provide fair treatment and a level playing field for meaningful consumer participation in the upcoming public hearing on billing practices for TV services in Canada .

"The Heritage Minister directed that special hearings take place for consumers on the TV debate, but consumers are being denied fair treatment in the process," said Michael Janigan. "The Minister should not support a two-tier consultation process, with privileged industry riding in first class while consumer groups ride in coach if at all."

"Consumer voices are being silenced by Minister Moore's inaction," said Anu Bose. "Canadian consumers must be heard in this process."

"To maintain a Canadian broadcasting system for Canadian viewers, Canadian viewers must have the chance to be heard and that means providing a level playing field," said Ian Morrison . "The Minister has the opportunity to do right by viewers. He just has to act."

"Canadians must be heard, including Canadians living in poverty," said Rob Rainer . "Regulating the rate for the basic TV service will protect Canadians including those who live in poverty from the unfair billing practices by cable and satellite companies."

Canadians have until November 2, 2009 , to submit their views to the CRTC on the billing practices by TV service providers in advance of the public hearing set to be held in December at the direction of the Government of Canada . To learn more about how you can submit your views and make a difference, visit http://www.TVALLIANCE.ca.

The TV Alliance is an ad hoc non partisan coalition including the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Option Consommateurs, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, and its newest member and supporter, Canada Without Poverty. Priority focus is to encourage open and fair public consultations on the future of television in Canada .

Consumer groups submitted a joint letter to Heritage Minister Moore calling for a level playing field, including funding for meaningful consumer participation and interventions. Find a copy of the letter online at http://www.piac.ca.

For further information: Michael Janigan, Executive Director, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, phone: [phone], email: [email protected], www.piac.ca; Anu Bose, Head, Ottawa Office, Option Consommateurs, phone: [phone], email: [email protected], www.option-consommateurs.org; Ian Morrison, Spokesperson, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, phone: [phone], email: [email protected], www.friends.ca; Rob Rainer, Executive Director, Canada Without Poverty, phone: [phone], email: [email protected], www.cwp-csp.ca