Minister Clement Responds to CRTC Announcement to Review Usage-Based Billing Decision

Ottawa, February 3, 2011 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today issued the following statement regarding usage-based billing:

"On Monday, the Prime Minister and I signalled very clearly that we have grave concerns about the ruling of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regarding usage-based billing for wholesale clients and smaller internet service providers (ISP). We are deeply concerned about how it affects consumers, small businesses, entrepreneurs, creators and innovators in our society.

"Today, we are pleased that the CRTC has followed our government’s lead and initiated a review of its decision. This means that come March 1st, those who contract with wholesale and small ISPs will not be hit in their pocketbooks because of a hike in their broadband bills.

The policy of the Harper Government has, and always will be, to encourage competition, increase consumer choice, minimize regulation and allow market forces to prevail. These are our policies and this is our focus.

"As our government develops Canada’s first comprehensive Digital Economy Strategy, we need to look carefully at how decisions like these affect the bigger picture. We need to make sure that government policies provide the right framework for entrepreneurs to flourish, for innovative new ideas to take root, and for real opportunity and job creation to continue.

“I look forward to seeing the results of the CRTC review.”

For further information (media only), please contact:

Heather Hume
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502