NEWS RELEASE
CHARLIE ANGUS, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR TIMMINS-JAMES BAY
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OTTAWA - At the special parliamentary meeting on the COVID response, Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus called for action to protect northern and rural families from getting fleeced by internet giants like Bell. Rural families forced to rely on the "turbo hub" are paying huge fees as they attempt to work from home and home school.
Angus called on the Liberal government to ensure that companies like Bell play fair.
"Families in the rural north are doing their part to flatten the curve. They are working at home and their children are doing lessons on line. And yet they are getting fleeced by companies like Bell. The Telecom carriers need to do their part. What steps will the government take to ensure that the Telecom giants stop fleecing rural northern families?"
Deputy Prime Minister Chrysta Freeland agreed with Angus and said that equitable access to internet for rural and northern families needed to be a priority.
"Broadband access is essential for parents and their children. When it comes to corporate responsibility in this crisis I agree with the member [MP Angus] we all have to do our part. Essential workers, many of them poorly paid are doing heroic work every day. We expect corporate Canada to step up too."
Angus will be following up with the Deputy Prime Minister on steps to ensure companies like Bell end the practice of gouging rural families.
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