Let’s be clear: The CRTC does not exist to protect consumers. That is their stated mission, but it is nothing more than pretty sounding words used to justify their continued existence.
In reality, it is tax payer funded market share protection. Its explicit mission is to control entry in to the telecommunications market, and regulate who provides content and services. That mission benefits established players like Bell, Rogers, Shaw, and Telus, at the expense of their competition. By limiting competition, and in some cases setting prices, they are squashing the free market and its advantages – competitive pricing practices, innovation, and improved service.
Think about this: You are paying taxes to support an institution that increases your costs for phone, cable, internet and wireless, and pads the profits of multi-billion dollar Corporations.
And if that upsets you, remember: every political party in this country supports its continued existence, except for one: the Libertarian Party. Moreover, the CRTC is not unique – there are a multitude of agencies in this country, at the Federal and Provincial level, that stifle competition, and indirectly use tax dollars to pad the profits of existing players.
