Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, honourable members, my name is John Lawford, and I'm executive director and general counsel for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, and I'm appearing today on behalf of both PIAC and the Consumers' Association of Canada. With me is Geoffrey White, counsel to PIAC.
We are pleased to comment on the proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Act to set a maximum amount that a Canadian wireless carrier can charge another Canadian carrier for roaming. Our main message today is that it's necessary and positive to address ongoing challenges to wireless competition, in part through wholesale rate regulations, which part of this bill seeks to do. However, we have four specific points to make about this bill.
First, wholesale roaming rates directly affect the way Canadians select and use their wireless devices, and therefore affect competition. Second, presently high domestic retail roaming rates impair the goal of promoting wireless competition, so we welcome efforts to address that threat. Third, the rate formula in the bill, while a step in the right direction, temporarily passes on the same high prices that incumbents can charge their own customers. Fourth, the amendment is an exceptional occurrence, which should not be repeated as it may undermine the authority of the CRTC.
Geoff.