moved for leave to introduce Bill C-227, an act to amend the Bell Canada Act (construction charges).
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my private member's bill which is entitled an act to amend the Bell Canada Act (construction charges).
Rural Canada is put at a disadvantage by inadequacies in the cost and accessibility of advanced communication technologies. In rural Canada this disadvantage extends to the simple provision of telephone service. Rural Canadians often face steep costs for service provisions because of their increased distance from existing lines. Right now service is mandated to customers within 62 meters of distribution facilities.
This bill proposes that service be provided for customers up to 1,000 meters away from existing lines and that beyond that construction charges be capped at a reasonable amount.
Phone service is an essential service. It should be affordable to rural Canadians. I ask all members of the House to support the bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)