C-555
Second Session, Fortieth Parliament,
57-58 Elizabeth II, 2009
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-555
An Act to provide transparency and fairness in the provision of telecommunication services in Canada
first reading, October 29, 2009
NOTE
3rd Session, 40th Parliament
This bill was introduced during the Second Session of the 40th Parliament. Pursuant to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons, it is deemed to have been considered and approved at all stages completed at the time of prorogation of the Second Session. The number of the bill remains unchanged.
Mr. McGuinty
402390
SUMMARY
This enactment requires the Governor in Council to direct the Minister of Industry to amend the conditions for PCS and cellular spectrum licences to include a prohibition against the levying of any additional fee or charge that is not part of the subscriber’s monthly fee or monthly plan rate. It also requires the Governor in Council to direct the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to gather information, seek input and make a report on competition, consumer-protection, and consumer-choice issues relating to telecommunication services in Canada.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
2nd Session, 40th Parliament,
57-58 Elizabeth II, 2009
house of commons of canada
BILL C-555
An Act to provide transparency and fairness in the provision of telecommunication services in Canada
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Telecommunications Transparency and Fairness Act.
Order — PCS and cellular spectrum licences
2. Within 30 days after the coming into force of this Act, the Governor in Council shall, by order, direct the Minister of Industry to amend the conditions for PCS and cellular spectrum licences to include
(a) a prohibition against the levying of any additional fee or charge that is not part of the subscriber’s monthly fee or monthly plan rate; and 
(b) a requirement that licensees make available to the public, for every contract, a fact sheet that discloses each service being provided and its associated cost as well as any other fee a subscriber will be required to pay.
Order — CRTC
3. Within 30 days after the coming into force of this Act, the Governor in Council shall, by order, direct the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to gather information, seek input and make a report on competition, consumer-protection, and consumer-choice issues relating to telecommunication services, including
(a) an assessment of the means by which telecommunications service providers can be compelled
(i) to provide accurate costs for data and voice services, including any caps, overage or roaming charges, before contracts are signed, 
(ii) to discontinue the practice of describing consumer charges in arbitrary, confusing or misleading ways on invoices,
(iii) to stop locking cellular phones to a specific provider such that they cannot be used on another provider's network,
(iv) to provide clear and accurate information with respect to network speeds and limitations on those speeds, including minimum, maximum, and average speeds obtained by customers, and
(v) to provide clear and accurate information with respect to network management practices that reduce advertised speeds or interfere with the ability of consumers to access, use, send, receive, or offer lawful content, applications, or services over broadband networks;
(b) an assessment of the effectiveness of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services;
(c) an assessment of network management practices that favour, degrade or prioritize any packet transmitted over a broadband network based on source, ownership or destination; and
(d) an indication as to whether additional legal protection under the Telecommunications Act, the Competition Act or an industry code of practice is necessary to prevent anti-competitive behaviour in the telecommunications industry.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada