Alleged Misleading Telecom Fees

The Competition Bureau initiated an inquiry in July 2004, following allegations that telecommunications companies were making false and misleading representations with regards to specific fees they were charging their customers.

It was alleged that consumers were led to believe that certain fees charged by telecom companies were government fees or charges collected on behalf of the government, which was not the case. Subsection 52(1) and paragraph 74.01(1)(a) of the Competition Act prohibit making materially false or misleading representations to the public.

As measures were taken by the concerned parties to improve information given to consumers regarding their fees, the Bureau concluded that a continuation of the inquiry was not warranted.

The inquiry was discontinued in July 2007.

(3088024)