Cable / Telecom News

PIAC lauds end of communication industry paper billing fees; targets banking

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OTTAWA – With the pending elimination of paper bill fees for telecommunication and broadcasting services, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is calling on the banking industry to follow suit.

In a statement Friday, PIAC referenced its recent report that estimates Canadians pay between $495 and $734 million annually in fees for monthly bills and statements in paper.

While some Canadian banks have entered into a voluntary agreement to expand their low-cost and no-cost accounts to include free mailed monthly statements, PIAC noted that this fee waiver only applies to those deemed eligible for the low- or no-cost accounts.

“We contend consumers do not distinguish between a fee paid for a monthly paper bill and fee paid for a monthly paper statement,” said PIAC research analyst Jonathan Bishop, in the statement.  “It’s time for the Canadian banks to completely stamp out the application of fees for mailed paper statements.”

www.piac.ca