Evidence of meeting #115 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was company.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
Yes, we heard this. Let's go back to the cellphone.... My time is limited.
Why are you ripping Canadians off when it comes to cellphone costs?
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
We are providing phenomenal service on world-leading networks at prices that are declining significantly—
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
—and I would encourage all committee members to look at the INDU committee transcript from March 18, where all the facts are laid out. They are very compelling.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
Canadians are obtaining a significant service and value.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
No, it's not a point of order, Madam Chair.
We have not had bells yet. Is there a chance that we could get unanimous consent to have maybe one more round, two minutes each for the Liberals, Conservatives, Bloc and NDP?
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Bells have just started, Kevin. Do you still think we could do another 10 minutes with, as you said, two minutes each for each group?
5:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
All right. Everybody seems to be in agreement, so we're going to have two minutes for each party, starting with the Conservatives.
Mr. Jivani.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Bibic, I think you made clear to us today that you are not very concerned about the allegations of tokenism, racism, sexism and ageism made against Bell Media. You have also made clear in your attempts to plug the CTV News app during your testimony here today that you want to make light of this and that you don't want to take this very seriously.
We've heard—I'm sure this is from all parties present in this process—a lot of concern from our constituents that by being customers of your Internet services and your highly priced cellphone services, they are financing a media operation that has shown a callous disregard for Canadian workers despite receiving $40 million in regulatory relief from this Liberal government, and also an attitude of discrimination toward employees.
What would you say to consumers who are concerned that they are financing a highly questionable media operation by engaging with your cell services and your Internet services?
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
Unfortunately, Chair, the last part of the question broke as the mic cut off.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
It's convenient for you to pretend you couldn't hear what I'm saying, because again, you're being evasive.
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
I take issue with that.
Madam Chair—
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
Again, you're being evasive. You're going to offer another word salad and—
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
Madam Chair, I've come here in good faith.
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
The accusations you've made against me—
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jamil Jivani Conservative Durham, ON
Mr. Bibic, actually, I'm speaking. It's not you, sir—
5:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE Inc.
—challenging my integrity are inappropriate.