Wednesday August 25, 2021 | NATIONAL
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
Achieving cell phone and Internet affordability for Canadians is the focus of Day 11 for the NDP campaign today.
Taking on the big telecom companies is something NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has addressed in the past, and he brought it up again today on the federal election campaign trail. He says the NDP plan would lower cell phone and internet bills, saving the average family $1,000.
The cost of data services for Internet & cell phones is quite high in Canada compared to other countries. Singh says the current pricing is allowed by government and that it’s “taking advantage of you”.
This is part of the overall cost of living challenges that have become worse during the pandemic, including the cost of everyday goods and housing.
Cell phones are a necessity:
“Cell phones and the internet are more than a luxury, they are a necessity,” said Jagmeet.
“Most Canadians are paying hundreds of dollars a month for barebone cellular and internet plans—often with terrible service. That’s wrong. The pandemic showed us just how important affordable access to these services are for Canadians when it comes to work, school or even connecting with loved ones.”
Capping fees:
Jagmeet committed to work with the CRTC to force telecom giants to reduce the prices on all their plans and cap their fees below the global average. His plan also includes requiring telecommunication corporations to offer unlimited wireless data options at an affordable rate, so no Canadian is suddenly faced with a surprise bill.
According to the NDP, in 2019, the Liberals promised to cut cell phone bills by $1,000 per year for a family of four, but that he abandoned his commitment after the big telecommunication companies lobbied him. “Over two years, while leaving families to pay $2,000 more for their cell phone bills than he promised, Trudeau gave big telecom companies hundreds of millions of dollars in no-strings-attached subsidies, much of which went to CEO bonuses and shareholder dividends,” Singh said today.
The NDP way:
Today an Orange Island campaign waving activity is going on in five Vancouver Island locations. Speaking today outdoors in Windsor, Ontario, Singh said the NDP consciousness about everyone being connected and caring about the environment is present across Canada.
Singh hopes that all Canadians can have economic stability, and noted that the precariousness of the gig economy is something that people should not have to put up with. People shouldn’t have to find a job just for the opportunity for salary benefits. Singh noted Pharmacare and providing dental benefits for everyone in Canada would achieve a great deal toward evening out the economic security for more Canadians.
===== RELATED:
Day 11: Orange Island wave (August 25, 2021)
Hard to get profit out of long-term care but NDP set to try (August 24, 2021)
First-week Angus Reid poll: NDP has ‘shown improvement’ (August 23, 2021)
NDP seat-surge would benefit Canadians says Jagmeet Singh (August 19, 2021)
Some seniors toughing out GIS clawback during election (August 16, 2021)
