industry minister François-Philippe Champagne says providing lower wireless prices for Canadians is a priority in weighing final approvals for the proposed merger Rogers Communications Inc. And shaw Communications Inc.
“My role is to protect the public interest,” he told reporters at a Liberal cabinet meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday.
“I will provide a decision in due course and will certainly make sure that whatever decision is in the best interests of Canadians and that decision will help lower prices here in Canada.”
His comments come on January 31 – the previous deadline for the blockbuster $26-billion deal to close.
But the companies extended that deadline to Monday until February 17 as they await Champagne’s decision.
The current version of the deal, which was first announced in March 2021 but has evolved significantly in response to antitrust concerns, will see Quebecor’s Videotron receive Shaw’s Freedom Mobile wireless division and all associated spectrum licenses from the company .
Rogers-Shaw deal clears major hurdle after competition tribunal rules in favor
Cindy Williams of Laverne & Shirley has died at the age of 75
The move, which would expand Videotron’s presence in western Canada as Rogers and Shaw merge to become Canada’s No. 2 telecommunications provider, would boost rather than reduce competition in the wireless industry, advocates argue.
Others, including the Competition Bureau, have argued that the move would increase concentration and harm Canadian consumers in the long run.
The Competition Tribunal signed off on the proposed merger on December 30, 2022, and a week ago the Federal Court of Appeal rejected the bureau’s application to reverse the decision. Champagne said Tuesday it was still reviewing the federal court’s decision.
The minister also suggested that Videotron’s growing national role was essential for the deal to go ahead. he repeated the previous terms that he put on the dealincluding that there would be “no fluctuation” in spectrum licenses and that Videotron would have to extend the low prices offered in the Quebec market to Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
“We in Canada have long believed that we want better value, more competition, and the best way to achieve that is to have a fourth national player,” Champagne said.
“For the Canadians that are looking, just want to say, I have your back. I’m looking at what we can do to get better prices in Canada.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.