The House of Commons heritage committee says the government should put a stake in the heart of the planned $26-billion merger between Shaw and Rogers, says Blacklock's Reporter..“Media concentration and the erosion of local journalism have worsened dramatically,” said a committee report..“The committee believes it is essential that Canadians have access to local news that reflects their identity and reality.”.“Rogers’ acquisition of Shaw should not proceed as currently proposed,” wrote MPs..“The transaction will increase media concentration in some markets and decrease the diversity of voices in the Canadian broadcasting system.”.“However, if the Rogers proposal is accepted the federal government should mitigate its impacts. Appropriate measures must be taken to preserve local news in small and medium sized markets including those affected by the merger: Kelowna, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Regina, Peterborough, Kingston, Saint John and Halifax.”.The Competition Bureau on May 9 instructed its lawyers to seek an injunction blocking the Rogers buyout..“Canadians pay some of the highest prices for wireless services in the developed world,” bureau lawyers wrote...Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell earlier said the bureau received thousands of consumer complaints over the agreement..From the day the merger was announced March 15, 2020 the bureau “received something in the neighbourhood of 7,500 submissions” in three weeks, said Boswell..The agreement cannot proceed without additional approval of the Department of Industry and Canadian Radio Television And Telecommunications Commission..“Why is the CRTC still considering this merger?” New Democrat MPs wrote in a Dissenting Report at the heritage committee..Telecom executives testifying at March 29, 2021 hearings of the Commons industry committee denied the buyout would lessen competition..“The Canadian market is intensely competitive and prices have been coming down dramatically over the last number of years,” said Joe Natale, then-CEO of Rogers..“I think the most important factor around competition is having strong players that have the ability to invest in the future with new technologies and new ideas.".Rogers Communications reported pre-tax net income of $2.2 billion at the time..Shaw CEO Brad Shaw said the merger would bring better service..“The competition of these two companies will drive unparalleled investment,” said Shaw..“Listen, we all like to win. The competition with a stronger competitor in Canada will drive value.”.Canadians pay an average $2,124 annually for telecom services by CRTC estimate.
