What a shocker – Government won't interfere with text message charges
Sometimes political posturing is so blatant that it just makes you cringe. When Telus and Bell announced they were going to start charging for incoming text messages, Industry Minister Jim Prentence decided it was time to make a move and stand up for the consumer.
Frankly it’s just too much to take.
This is the same Jim Prentice who’s government, just months earlier overruled the CRTC and ordered it to stop regulating prices on wireline phone service.
This the same Jim Prentice that just introduced Bill C-61 (known as the “Canadian DMCA”). A copyright bill written after consulting only with large (mostly U.S. owned) media companies and then trotted out as “striking a balance” on copyright. How do you strike a balance when you only consult with one side?
Jim Prentice is Industry Minister in a Conservative government and everyone knows what Conservatives stand for and it’s not consumers. They fight for big business, tax cuts, cuts to social spending, Christian family values etc. etc. We all know this because it’s printed right in their election platform.
So when they so transparently try and buy votes with these appeals to the people can we really do anything except scoff?
Were we actually supposed to take Jim seriously when he announced that he was going to express his concern on this issue? What exactly was he going to threaten? Price Regulation for cell phones? Ha!
So colour me surprised that after consulting with the head of both Telus and Bell, Jim decided he wouldn’t take any action.
I can’t help but imagine they sat around smoking cigars and swilling 10 year old scotch while smacking each other on the back and laughing how they’ve all “balanced” the rights of the consumer.
Thanks again for looking out for us Jim.
