Consumers will save money when cancelling internet, cellphone, TV or telephone service thanks to rulings made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today.
The Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) hailed the CRTC decisions that create a simple rule: consumers should never have to pay cancellation fees after terminating telecommunications or broadcasting services or switching providers.
“Your old service provider can’t add ‘cancellation charges’ after you cancel TV, internet, wireless or phone service – and they can’t confiscate your money if your service is billed a month ahead,” said John Lawford, Executive Director and General counsel of PIAC, who with CAC, opposed both of these practices in submissions to the CRTC.
“Your old company is only paid until the day you leave,” added Bruce Cran, President of the Consumers’ Association of Canada. “It’s a simple rule that makes sense for consumers and promotes competition.”
Consumers will still be responsible for any charges that they may incur during the part of the month when they still had service.  However, customers that are charged their monthly fees in advance will receive a refund, pro-rated to the number of days of service they used.
For more information please contact:
John Lawford
General Counsel and Executive Director
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
(613) 562-4002×25
(613) 447-8125 (cell)
jlawford@piac.ca
www.piac.ca
Bruce Cran
President
Consumers’ Association of Canada
604-418-8359
bcranbiz@telus.net
www.consumer.ca