New Democrats Introduce Bill to Ban Cell Phone Locks
Bill will ban restrictive network locks, boost wireless competition & consumer choice
November 3, 2011
OTTAWA – Repressive cellular phone network locks need to end in order to give consumers real choice and to encourage competition in Canada’s wireless market, say New Democrats Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay-Superior North) and Fin Donnelly (New Westminster-Coquitlam & Port Moody). The MPs re-introduced the Cell Phone Freedom Act on Thursday to ban “network locks” on new mobile phones sold outside of contract.
“Cell phone customers should have the freedom to choose whether they want to be locked into a company’s cell network or not,” Hyer said, after introducing the bill in the House of Commons. “Right now, most consumers don’t even know they can’t switch to another network without throwing out their phone and buying a new one …or trying to unlock their handset at some expensive aftermarket shop. Many resort to trying to download complicated instructions off the internet, but these can result in dead phones if used improperly.”
“Consumers who come to the end of their service contracts or who buy their handsets outright have fully paid for their phones,” said MP Fin Donnelly after he seconded the bill. “The phone belongs to the consumer, and the service provider should not be able to restrict them from choosing other service providers. That’s bad for consumer choice, and bad for competition.”
Just three big telecom companies control close to 95% of the Canadian market. Unlike most other industrialized countries, virtually all new mobile phones in Canada are locked to work only on the network of the service provider selling them. A lack of effective competition in the Canadian marketplace has allowed the practice to continue. Canada is one of the only countries that does not have any rules around network locks, also called “SIM locks”.
“The Cell Phone Freedom Act mandates that consumers must be informed of the existence of any network lock on new phones they buy,” Hyer said. “Moreover, consumers should be able to ask that their handsets be unlocked if they choose to pay full price for the phone, when buying it outright without a contract. And when a consumer ends a multi-year contract with a company, they should also be able to get their phone unlocked, free of charge. This legislation will ensure consumers have that freedom. Restrictive cell phone locks should no longer be used as a tool to restrict consumers from moving to more competitive providers, or to artificially restrict competition.”
The MPs launched a petition in support of ending network locks. A related Facebook group called Cell Phone Freedom: Stop Restrictive Network Locks currently has over 600 members.
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Hyer Demands Action on Rural Post Office Closure
MP Wants Canada Post to find a new location in Dorion to replace the loss of current outlet
October 28, 2011
OTTAWA – MP Bruce Hyer is demanding that Canada Post find a replacement location for the postal outlet that is closing in Dorion this year. The current postal outlet, located in Canyon Country Service, is about to close at the end of November due to highway construction.
"The Canada Post office in Dorion, Ontario is about to close – forcing families to drive up to 75 kilometres just to pick up a package. That’s despite the fact that Canada Post has claimed there is a moratorium on the closure of rural post offices,” Hyer said in Question Period in the House of Commons today. “Mr. Speaker, postal service is vital for rural families, and especially seniors, in communities like Dorion – they shouldn’t have to drive an hour just to get to the post office. Can the Minister stand up and assure Dorion families that their post office will not close?”
Last year 37 different towns across Canada lost their post offices or outlets, even while Canada Post raked in $233 million in profit. Onerous requirements for opening and maintaining a postal outlet, such as strict hours of operation or expensive displays, counter space and computer systems, mean that smaller businesses such as those common in rural communities are effectively shut out of opening a postal outlet if the community’s current post office closes.
“Canada Post has a responsibility to provide adequate service to rural Canadians, but it seems they are only paying lip service to their policy of no rural closures,” said Hyer. “Forcing rural residents like those in Dorion to drive to another town for basic postal service – in an area with high fuel prices, long winters and limited transport options – is not fulfilling their obligations. But I intend to keep working with all parties involved until we resolve this.”
Hyer has met with Canada Post officials as well as local residents, business owners and mail carriers, and suggested that the crown corporation show some flexibility in order to ensure a new location in Dorion is found. So far, no replacement location has been announced.
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Read Jack Layton's Last Letter to Canadians
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue... Read more of Layton's final letter...
Earthquake in Turkey
An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck the city of Van in eastern Turkey on Sunday, October 23, 2011. Older buildings have collapsed as well as some newer structures in outlying villages. Flights bound for Van city airport have been rerouted to Erzurum. Travellers should monitor local media reports, follow the advice of local authorities and contact their airline or travel agent to check their travel plans.
Friends & relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens in Turkey should contact the emergency operations centre toll-free at 1-800-606-5499 (or 613-996-8885) or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Support The Cell Phone Freedom Act
Got a cell phone? If you're like most Canadians, you didn't know you're locked into using only your carrier's network - you can't just switch your phone to another company, even if you're not on a contract. That's because your phone is "network locked" to work only on the cell network of the company you bought it from. This limits your choices as a consumer and restricts competition, resulting in higher prices and worse service.
We can change that with the Cell Phone Freedom Act, which mandates that phones must be unlocked - free of charge - outside of contract whenever a customer requests it.
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Passenger Rail for the Northwest
Thirty years ago, a world-famous passenger rail route passed through Thunder Bay on its way across the spectacular North Shore of Lake Suprerior. It was an important component of the local economy and a vital transport link for thousands of tourists and residents. Unfortunately, it was cut in 1990, despite being one of VIA’s busiest train routes at the time.
At a time of cutbacks to passenger bus service, rising fuel costs in the region, and when local towns are trying to diversify their economies, a passenger rail transport option for people and businesses just makes sense. Join the campaign to Revive Superior Rail.
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