October 30, 2013
Manitobans Asked to Have Their Say to Ensure Fairness on Cable TV, Internet and Phone Bills
– – –Special Offers, Contracts Must be Clear; No Surprises: Minister
The government of Manitoba is asking families to have their say on dealing with cable TV, Internet and phone providers to ensure that families are treated fairly and get all the facts when they sign up for these services, Tourism, Culture, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux announced today.
“Manitoba families like to shop around for the best deals on phone, TV and Internet services, but we hear from families that sometimes special offers aren’t always clear and their rates jump up after a few months without appropriate notice,” said the minister. “Manitobans deserve clear, fair and upfront promotions and bills so there are no surprises after they are locked into a contract or offer.”
The province recently implemented legislation ensuring fairness in cellphone contracts so that they are clear, explain all charges, fees and terms, and that cancellation fees are reasonable. The next step is to implement similar protection for cable TV, Internet and phone bills and contracts, the minister said.
“We want to hear from Manitobans about their experiences with cable, phone and Internet promotions and how our government can help make these clear, fair and upfront,” the minister said. “Manitoba has been a leader in developing consumer protection for families on everything from car repairs to new homes, payday lending to cellphones, and we want to continue fighting for a better deal for families.”
The Manitoba Consumer Protection Office is asking for the opinions of families on issues such as
all-in-one pricing, low introductory pricing and penalties for service cancellation. This review will help the province understand the concerns of Manitobans, guide changes to protect families and ensure fairness in the marketplace.
The public can provide input online at www.gov.mb.ca/cca/cpo/cable_tv_public_consultation.html(English) or www.gov.mb.ca/cca/cpo/cable_tv_public_consultation.fr.html(French).
Group or individual submissions can be sent by e-mail to consumers@gov.mb.caor by regular mail to the Consumer Protection Office, 302-258 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B6.
To protect consumers, the province has already introduced:
- rules that ensure cellphone contracts clearly explain all fees and terms,
- rules that give consumers more information when buying a vehicle,
- tougher rules for payday lending and debt settlement agency fees, and
- safeguards against unexpected car repair bills.
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