Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT

In the Legislative Assembly on May 18th, 2010. See this topic in context.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Getting back to my Member’s statement, I have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, who happens to be the Minister responsible for consumer protection.

It’s come to my attention from a constituent about calling cards which are sold in the Northwest Territories that do not allow the same level of service for a similar card, an exact same card sold in southern Canada. In fact, there’s a 25 cent surcharge tacked on to the minutes for using these cards. I’d like to ask the Minister if he knows why calling cards in the Northwest Territories sold at retail outlets around the Territory are subject to this surcharge of 25 cents a minute. Thank you.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Consumer Affairs has received a few complaints regarding some of the telephone services across the Northwest Territories and they were told that they had no regulatory role in this area. However, we will follow up on that and maybe communicate to the CRTC our concern with how the phone cards and the charges are made. Thank you.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

May 17th, 2010

David Ramsay Kam Lake

I think if there’s one company charging a 25 cent surcharge on any call originating in the Northwest Territories, to me that’s called a monopoly. I don’t know what other word to use. Doesn’t our government have an obligation to go to bat for our residents when it comes to one company

charging 25 cents a minute for people to call their loved ones overseas? I’d like to ask the Minister -- I know he said his officials are looking into this -- when might we be able to hear back from consumer protection on what the government’s next move might be? Thank you.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I will follow up with the department immediately and I’ll look to have some kind of response back to the Member and Members by the end of session. Thank you.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, I’ve got no reason to believe that this isn’t happening. I’ve used these cards myself and there is a discrepancy between the minutes you get in the Northwest Territories when you dial the supposed toll-free number and what you get when you’re in southern Canada. I’d like to ask the Minister if the government, I guess it would depend on the findings of consumer protection, but would the government or can the government write a letter to the CRTC suggesting that the CRTC have a look at the ongoing issue with the surcharge to calling cards here in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, as a government we would be willing to communicate to the CRTC our concerns with how the charges are made against the people of the Northwest Territories. So I’ll commit to the Member that we will follow through with that. Thank you.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Question 156-16(5): Cost Of International Calling Cards In The NWT

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