Bill C-299 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (access to transparent and accurate broadband services information)

This enactment amends the Telecommunications Act to require Canadian carriers to make easily available certain information in respect of the fixed broadband services that they offer and provide. It also requires the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to hold public hearings in order to determine the form and manner in which the information is to be provided to the public.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Thank you very much for pointing that out. That's exactly what I was referring to.

That was the first iteration of this bill, Bill C-299. The committee did see the importance of that. They're the typical upload and download speeds. I think that's a very important thing to remember. The committee nailed it. They did say, “Government, you need to look at this.” Unfortunately, this government chose to go the policy directive type of way. Industry did not step up and say that there was a problem here, so here we are. We're back here and introducing legislation.

I honestly believe that legislation is the way to go. It is more transparent. I think it's a chance for all of us as parliamentarians to really wrap our arms around this and tell the Canadian people that this is important to Canadians and we recognize that. We don't do that enough here—this whole non-partisan way—and we get stuck in these different conversations that trap us. This is one that I think Canadians are really hoping that we pay attention to, especially when it comes down to the transparency on what service you are being offered and what service you get at the end of the day.

Telecommunications Act

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-288, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information).

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to table this legislation to improve access to transparent and accurate broadband service information. This legislation is a near copy of my private member's bill in the 43rd Parliament. Unfortunately, due to an unexpected election, Bill C-299 never had the opportunity to make it to second reading, despite a broad and ever-growing level of support from Canadians.

Canadians know how important access to high-quality Internet service is, but they also know that this essential service is out of reach for too many Canadians. For years, Canadians have been purchasing Internet services at sky-high prices, only to realize that the quality and speed they expected to receive are nowhere near what they actually receive. Rural Canadians, in particular, feel that they are not receiving the Internet service they are paying for. This bill would provide Canadians with more accurate and transparent information so they will have a better understanding of the Internet quality they will receive.

I sincerely look forward to working with all members of this House to advance this non-partisan legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-299, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (access to transparent and accurate broadband services information).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to table this legislation.

Canadians know how important access to high-quality Internet service is. Unfortunately, they also know that for too many Canadians access to high-speed Internet is out of reach.

For years, Canadians have found themselves purchasing Internet services at sky-high prices, only to realize that the quality and the speed they expected to receive is nowhere near what they actually receive. This bill would require Internet companies to provide Canadians with a reliable and comparable indicator of the speeds they can realistically expect.

Rural Canadians, and seniors in particular, have felt cheated and misled by large Internet service providers. It is time to provide them with the transparency they deserve.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)