Evidence of meeting #112 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was prices.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
I gather then that you think there is a way to lower those rates even further, while maintaining the incentive to invest.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
That's excellent. That's the answer I was expecting.
The Quebecor representatives told us that roaming rates were regulated and could be negotiated downward. They also told us that the big players were encouraged to create obstacles. We've even heard about an appeal of an arbitration, among other things. What in the current regulatory structure would prevent good-faith negotiations, by mutual agreement, to naturally lower the price of data roaming?
Laura Sonley
In the past, in the same study, we did conclude that there was market power at both the retail level and the wholesale level, so I think that this would make it challenging to negotiate an agreement on market terms that was competitive.
Laura Sonley
Yes, that's correct. It's a degree of market power held by the big three carriers.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Thank you very much, Mr. Garon.
Last but not least, we have Mr. Masse. I believe you have a motion to table, so I'll recognize you, Mr. Masse.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to our witnesses for their testimony today.
I'm going to read into the record a motion that has been distributed electronically to members. It relates to the work of this committee.
We have requested CEOs to appear. Mr. Péladeau did follow through on that. That's why I think this motion is in order. We have been given notice that names of other individuals have been submitted to attend our hearings on Wednesday, and unless there's an organizational restructuring, those individuals who appear on Wednesday will not be the CEOs.
Hopefully, this situation will be put on notice and we'll see some co-operation so that it won't be necessary. However, I do want to table this motion to show that at least the New Democrats are sincerely concerned with not following through with what the committee has decided.
The motion states that in relation to the study on accessibility and affordability of wireless and broadband services in Canada, the committee invite—and, if this invitation is not accepted, summon, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)— the following to appear before the committee to answer questions and explain measures that are being taken: Tony Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc.; Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE Inc.; and Darren Entwistle, president and CEO of Telus Communications Inc.
I thank members and the chair for allowing me to table this motion today.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Thank you, Mr. Masse.
If I understand correctly, you're tabling the motion but not moving it now. We'll give the individuals mentioned in your motion the opportunity to take heed of what was discussed at committee today. Perhaps on Wednesday, if they're not present, we can summon the witnesses to come to committee. Is that correct?
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
I have a technical question.
I don't know why we would wait until Wednesday. That means, I guess, that we're going to question those folks and then do another meeting to question their CEOs.
Is that what we would do?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Yes, Mr. Perkins. That's what is being suggested. I'll just tell you why.
It's good practice to summon witnesses once they've actually not shown up, instead of before. This is giving a bit of notice to the individuals in the motion that they should be there on Wednesday. Provided they're not there, we can summon the witnesses to—
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
I think they have already indicated that by the names they've put forward.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
They have indeed. They have the text of the initial motion, which clearly mentions them. They have until Wednesday to change their minds and appear before the committee.
It's a reasonable course of action. We'll question the witnesses they send on Wednesday. Should the others not be here, we'll summon them for a later meeting.
Go ahead, Mr. Garon.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
I just have a technical question. In the original motion, we had asked the CEOs to come. I'm trying to find the deadline we had set for their appearance in this motion. Could you tell me what that date was?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
I don't have it in front of me, but to my recollection, I don't believe there was a deadline. That's confirmed by our analysts and the clerk, as well.
If everyone agrees and there are no further comments, I will thank our witnesses.
Mr. Garon, you have the floor.
Bloc
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
That's not what I have in front of me concerning the invitations. The motion that was adopted did not set a date.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
With that, the public portion of our meeting has come to an end.
I want to thank our witnesses for joining us on this Monday morning. Your testimony is much appreciated.
We will suspend and go in camera for committee business.
[Proceedings continue in camera]