Letter to Hon. Tony Clement, Minister of Industry
RE:
Foreign Ownership in the Telecommunications sector.
Dear Minister Clement,
The Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union (CEP) Local 401 is very concerned with the
direction the government appears to be taking relating to foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector.
Several months ago, your office released a consultation paper detailing the options being considered
for changes in the rules governing foreign ownership. Regrettably, Canadians had less than 50 days to submit their thoughts
and positions on this incredibly important topic. Indeed, the deadline for electronic submissions was July 30th,
a period of time where many citizens are enjoying the beauty of our country’s outdoors (including our elected officials),
not focused on government business.
The paper suggested there were only 3 options
to consider: (1) Increase the limit of foreign ownership in telecom companies to 49%; (2) Lift restrictions on telecommunications
common carriers with a 10% market share or less; and (3) Remove telecommunications restrictions completely.
Hon. Minister, CEP Local 401 is humbly requesting you pursue a deeper and broader form of public consultation
on this issue. This means that not only business-oriented groups and consumer-rights organizations should be consulted, but
also workers groups, rural community leaders, our First Nations, as well as fair trade and privacy advocates.
The telecommunications sector has been recognized for decades as an essential component of our national
infrastructure – and just like all of our natural resources – it should be given the serious, and transparent
attention it deserves.
Cc: Hon. Wayne Easter; Hon.
Lawrence MacAulay; Hon. Shawn Murphy; Hon. Gail Shea;
Mr. Charles Shewfelt, CEP Vice-President, Atlantic Region