OTTAWA — The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), ACORN Canada and the National Pensioners Federation (NPF) jointly called Tuesday for more Covid-19 relief for low-income consumers in the form of unlimited Internet access for at least the next six months and low-income Internet and wireless plans to help all Canadians stay connected while isolating at home during the coronavirus pandemic and possibly beyond.
The consumer groups addressed their demands to not only the federal government and the CRTC but also Canada’s Internet and wireless service providers.
“The Canadian government has told Canadians to stay at home which we are doing,” said…
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VANCOUVER — Telus president and CEO Darren Entwistle told employees Monday that since they are forgoing any raises for the next three months and seeing the temporary suspension of the company’s matching portion of the employee share plan over the same time frame, he will donate three full months of his own salary to help support front-line healthcare workers fighting against Covid-19.
“As we do our very best to navigate a new world created by this challenging global pandemic, the past three weeks have certainly been unprecedented for our team and company,” wrote Entwistle in a Monday morning internal email…
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VANCOUVER and EDMONTON — Telus announced today it has extended its Internet for Good program to all Kindergarten to grade 12 students who do not have a home internet connection in British Columbia and Alberta.
With teachers now expected to deliver lessons to students via the Internet due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Telus is now working in partnership with local school boards across B.C. and Alberta to offer its Internet for Good program to students in need. The program provides families who can’t afford a connection with high-speed broadband Internet at home for only $9.95 per month.
Previously, eligibility for the…
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Quarterly results reporting begins this week
By Greg O’Brien
TORONTO – Both Cogeco Inc. and Shaw Communications will release their fiscal 2020 second quarter results this week, but since their quarters ended February 29th, those numbers will resemble more of a time capsule than an account of what is going on in the market right now and the real news will be what the companies have to say about what’s happened since with the Covid-19 crisis.
“We believe Canadian telcos and cablecos remain structurally sound and even after our target price revisions, we believe the sector will provide investors attractive potential total…
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By David Farnes
GATINEAU – The CRTC Emergency Services Working Group has notified the CRTC the mandated Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation dates are in jeopardy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The availability of IP Voice service by 9-1-1 service providers (Bell, SaskTel and Telus) is to be made available to 9-1-1 call centres by June 30, 2020. Real-time text functionality is to be made available by December 31, 2020.
The current 9-1-1 service technology is mandated to be decommissioned on June 30, 2023, but all of these dates are in jeopardy as the world scrambles to adapt to the crisis and deadlines…
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TORONTO — With Rogers Media’s free preview of its FX specialty channel now extended until May 11, the broadcaster announced the new Mrs. America limited series starring Cate Blanchett will premiere in Canada on FX and online on FX Now starting April 15.
The nine-part miniseries, featuring Blanchett as conservative firebrand Phyliss Schlafly, tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash it brought about. Portraying some of the most iconic women of the era, the cast also includes Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids) as Gloria Steinem, Margo Martindale (American Crime Story) as Bella…
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VANCOUVER – As Canadians across the country continue to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Telus today announced it is expanding its support for low income families by automatically waiving all fees for the Telus Internet for Good program for two months, giving customers enrolled in the program access to high speed internet in their home at no cost for 60 days.
Currently more than 200,000 Canadian families, who receive the maximum Canada Child Benefit, qualify for Telus Internet for Good, which offers low cost monthly Internet service at $9.95 per month as well as access to…
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VANCOUVER – Recognizing Canadians are seeking reliable and accurate information in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, Telus has launched a new podcast series called Telus Talks Health.
Featuring experts in relevant medical fields who provide practical, actionable advice to listeners, the podcast is hosted by veteran reporter Tamara Taggart, and is available for free on popular podcast platforms and at TELUS.com/podcast.
This week’s episode features Canadian icon and sports legend (and doctor-in-training as she’s in her final year of med school), Hayley Wickenheiser. She was a member of Canada’s women’s national ice hockey team for 23 years and represented…
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OTTAWA – CBC/Radio-Canada has announced it is delivering special access to content across all of its platforms, including news, educational resources for kids and parents, and a wide variety of programming to keep Canadians entertained when they need a break.
“The situation continues to change each day. Canadians need to know what’s happening and to understand what it means for them and for their family and friends. Our news teams are working around the clock to keep all Canadians on top of the latest developments here in Canada and around the world,” said CBC CEO Catherine Tait in a statement.
“We’re…
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By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU – When the Competition Bureau filed its further comments in the CRTC’s Wireless Review proceeding and issued detailed recommendations as to the future of the wireless industry in Canada, it was obvious that there was going to be some pushback.
Both Telus and CNOC requested to see more of the information filed in confidence and the Commission on Tuesday, granted some of CNOC’s wishes while denying Telus request.
CNOC was interested in both information filed in confidence that is publicly available, as well as methodological aspects of the Bureau’s analysis which was not revealed.
“The Commission also directs…
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