Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think most of us have been made aware of the GLENTEL affair: two cellular giants have, through a joint venture, obtained a monopoly in Loblaws grocery stores. In this context, I think it would be important for the committee to address the issue of competition and the business models that can undermine it.
I know the committee has done a lot of work on the grocery store issue, and I think we need to do the same with the cell phone market. You have all received the motion, of which I gave notice on Monday, May 27. I don't intend to debate it today, but I'd like to table it and read it. Here's the text:
With regard to the early termination of the supply contract between Loblaw’s “The Mobile Shop” wireless handset and service outlets and Quebecor’s subsidiary Freedom Mobile, and in light of Glentel’s business model; That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee invite the following witnesses to testify on issues related to allegations of anticompetitive practices:
Mirko Bibic, CEO of Bell; Darren Entwistle, CEO of Telus; Tony Staffieri, CEO of Rogers Communications Inc.; Galen Weston, CEO of Loblaw; Pierre Karl Péladeau, CEO of Quebecor Media Inc.; and Matthew Boswel, Commissioner of Competition, Competition Bureau Canada;
And that the committee allocate two meetings to hear these witnesses.