Industry Committee on Feb. 14th, 2024

[Pierre Karl Péladeau]

Yes. That was last year.

This year, for 75 gigabytes, it's $65. You have more gigs at a lower price. Why? It's because Freedom Mobile is there and is reducing the prices. They have no choice but to follow or lose customers.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

We've been hearing from some political parties that prices are going up, and that's false, given your testimony today. What you've demonstrated, and what Statistics Canada has concluded on an overall basis over the Canadian market, is that prices are significantly coming down. Is that not true?

[Pierre Karl Péladeau]

Again, you know, it's not me. It's StatsCan. StatsCan is saying it.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

So, from your perspective, prices are definitely coming down.

[Pierre Karl Péladeau]

Yes, this is what they're saying. The CRTC said the same, and the industry also. The CRTC is probably less political than industry. StatsCan, I hope, is not political at all.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

That's great.

Your market share is growing as a result of your differentiating yourself in the market and offering more competitive prices, is it not?

[Pierre Karl Péladeau]

Absolutely.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

So, your success is a direct result of your picking up those assets and entering the market. You're increasing competition and disrupting the market, so prices are coming down as a result.

[Pierre Karl Péladeau]

Absolutely.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Okay, that's great.

The last question I have is about Fizz. Fizz seems to be a new offering that you have, and it seems different from some of the other stuff that's out there. Can you maybe just describe how that offering is increasing competition as well and is further differentiating your brand?

[Pierre Karl Péladeau]

I would say that it's a product that appeals to the tech-savvy guys, to younger people who do not need a call centre. In fact, they don't like call centres. They want to take care of themselves. They go on the web. They order what they want. They can fix their problems. There is a call centre, but it's not a call centre. If you have a problem, you use your computer, or you use your phone. You ask the question, and we'll answer you.

Again, this is something I was mentioning earlier: innovation. This is something that didn't exist. It covers a clientele bracket that was not covered anymore, and it's at a more interesting price because you order what you want. If you want three gigabytes, five gigabytes or 10 gigabytes, it's not going to be the same price. Every time you increase or reduce the amount of data you want, the price will change.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Péladeau.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you very much, Mr. Turnbull.

Thank you, Mr. Péladeau, for your testimony tonight to kick off this study.

Before I recognize you, Mr. Masse, for your motion, I anticipate the question from my colleague, MP Perkins, so I'll just answer it right away.

As you know, we've had some scheduling issues to get the.... Yes, if you want to ask, you can, Mr. Perkins.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Thank you.

As you know, we have tabled with the clerk that motion to summon the other two CEOs, who were reluctant to come. I'd like to ask you.... I think at this time there's some indication that they might now be relenting and coming.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Yes, I'm happy to report that when we come back from our constituency week, we'll have Rogers and Telus come before the committee, and then in March we have an agreement that Bell will also appear. So, we'll get to ask the three other big players the questions that we have on behalf of Canadians.

Mr. Péladeau, thank you for participating in our study.

That said, please wait a moment, Mr. Généreux; the meeting is not over yet.

Mr. Masse has a motion to present, so I'll yield the floor to him.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I gave up my last round so that I didn't affect any witness time, and I'll be really quick.

On February 8, I tabled a motion on auto. I won't read it entirely, but it basically calls for the auto companies to report back to this committee—so that we don't have to take any time—on what they're doing to reduce auto theft, and they would do that. The only addition is that, because I left out Tesla, we'd add Tesla to the group.

I'm just going to ask if there's consensus for that or if we have to have a vote. I don't want to interfere with committee time, but I'm hoping we can get this passed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

I see there's agreement around the room.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, colleagues. I appreciate it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Wait, colleagues, the meeting is not over. Mr. Garon has asked to speak.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Chair, having studied the Standing Orders of the House, I think it appropriate, exceptionally, to wish you, the other members of the committee, the witnesses and my wife, who is here, an excellent Valentine's Day.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you very much. I wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day.

The meeting is adjourned.