Telecom Competition: $15 million in fines possible

OTTAWA - Under new proposed amendments introduced in the House of Commons today, the Competition Tribunal may order telecommunications service providers to pay an administrative monetary penalty of up to $15 million in cases of abuse of market power. "Competitive telecommunications markets are vital to a strong economy, especially given the rapid changes in information technologies that are transforming how businesses operate and how individuals communicate and gather information," said Industry Minister Maxime Bernier, who introduced the amendments. "Competition drives firms to become more efficient, invest in new technologies and introduce new products and services that benefit consumers." "Allowing the...