Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from hundreds of citizens of the Peterborough region who are concerned about the proposed increase in the basic telephone rate.
They point out that each incident of increase harms those on fixed incomes whose lifestyle has already been downsized. The phone service is a lifeline, a prerequisite for services such as health care, safety and community.
They point out that the incidence of increases has become more frequent with the advent of technological change. They say the cost of such changes should be borne by the users and should be segregated from the basic rate.
Therefore they call on Parliament to intercede on behalf of seniors and low income families to rescind the decision of the CRTC to raise local telephone service rates.