Rogers Communications Inc. has declined to adjust its calculation of the value of the acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc. to include in its application to the CRTC the value of any consulting fee paid to ousted CEO Joe Natale, a week after the regulator asked it to do so in a hearing into the transaction.
An Ontario-based independent service provider argued to the CRTC that chair Ian Scott “is in violation of the commission’s own internal standards of conduct” and should recuse himself from a review and vary application on a decision — which states that firms must negotiate with BCE Inc. for multi-dwelling unit (MDU) fibre — because he has a “clear personal preference” for facilities-based competition and due to his 2019 meeting with Bell CEO (then chief operating officer) Mirko Bibic.
Rogers Communications Inc. executives told the CRTC that there is no evidence to suggest that its merger with Shaw Communications Inc. would result in content exclusivity with foreign streamers, if approved. Telus Corp. had urged the commission to reject the merger on those grounds Tuesday.
Rogers Communications Canada Inc. and Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink told the CRTC that the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC)’s review and vary application of a decision — which states that firms must negotiate with BCE Inc. for multi-dwelling unit (MDU) fibre — does not follow CRTC process and that the original decision was fair.
The Government has not yet made a decision on whether or not it will implement recommendations for a more transparent and accountable CRTC — as well as the reappointment process for its chair — contained in the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review (BTLR) report from January 2020.
