OTTAWA – The Liberal government’s 2023 budget, released Tuesday, includes a commitment from the feds to work with regulatory agencies to reduce what it calls telecom “junk fees.”
“Unexpected, hidden, and additional fees add up quickly. From internet overage charges, to roaming fees, to event fees, Canadians deal with junk fees every day,” the budget document said.
“Budget 2023 announces the government’s intention to work with regulatory agencies, provinces, and territories to reduce junk fees for Canadians,” it added. “This could include higher telecom roaming charges, event and concert fees, excessive baggage fees, and unjustified shipping and freight fees.”
The budget document pointed to existing initiatives of the federal government, including its new policy direction to the CRTC finalized last month to address broadband and wireless prices.
The budget line also comes a week after CRTC head Vicky Eatrides told Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne the regulator has been studying and will embark on an investigation into international roaming fees.
The CRTC letter followed one from Champagne, who asked Eatrides to look into those roaming fees after two of the large telecoms announced increases to those rates.
Screenshot of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland during budget presentation Tuesday.
