All riders on Toronto’s subway system will have cellphone service starting Oct. 3, the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced on Monday.
Speaking at a news conference at Toronto City Hall, François-Philippe Champagne had a strong message for Canada’s major telecom providers: “enough is enough.”
“That is the message that I’m sending to the telcos on behalf of millions of TTC riders who have been very, very patient,” he said. “We are forcing the telcos to ensure that all subway users, regardless of the service providers they have, have access to mobile services by Oct. 3.”
Champagne said that following an expedited public consultation process, “the licences of all major carriers will be revised to ensure that all TTC riders will now be able to have coverage in the subway system in Toronto.”
The lack of phone service for most Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) riders has been a growing concern since 2012, when Australia’s BAI Communications was awarded a $25-million contract to build and operate the TTC’s public Wi-Fi and cellular network.
Freedom Mobile was the only company to sign on to provide coverage to its customers.
Commuters are photographed on their phones at Yonge Station in Toronto, on Aug. 23, 2023. Starting today, Rogers customers can now connect to the company’s 5G network in multiple subway stations across the city. (Alex Lupul/CBC)
For more than a decade, customers not with Freedom have been unable to use BAI’s network except for 911 emergency calling, but calls to make the system work for all Torontonians resurfaced earlier this year after a recent spate of violent incidents on the TTC.
The telecom companies have clashed for months over TTC network access and the commercial terms around it.
In August, Rogers Communications Inc. rolled out 5G wireless service to its customers in core parts of the city’s downtown subway network, but a feud continues with other major carriers over terms of access for all transit riders.
Rogers has vowed to make the upgraded system accessible for other mobile carriers to provide wireless coverage to their customers. That includes honouring BAI’s previous contract with Freedom Mobile.
Bell and Telus both have advocated for a joint build of the subway’s 5G network using a consortium model similar to that of Montreal’s Metro system, rather than a pay-for-access approach. Rogers has not publicly committed to either model.
However, Champagne said “it is simply unacceptable” that the more than 2 million people who use the subway daily “still do not have access to wireless services.”
According to the minister, for many TTC users, getting on the subway is like “riding in perpetual airplane mode.
“I’m here today to tell you that those days are over. Time is up, and that’s why we’re going to be acting decisively to change that for millions of TTC riders,” he said.
Following an expedited public consultation process, Champagne announced the licences to operate of all major carriers will be revised to ensure all TTC riders will be able to have coverage in the subway system.
Companies could face penalties, minister says
In practical terms, this means that “all major carriers will have to offer voice, text and data services, including, obviously, 911 service, by Oct. 3 on the current wireless network in the subway system in Toronto,” Champagne said.
He said this will be followed by full service in all tunnels and stations across the network as soon as it’s feasible.
“Make no mistake, should mobile carriers fail to meet these conditions, I will not shy away from taking further action as appropriate,” Champagne said.
“Not only [do] I expect them to follow what we’re demanding, what we’re requiring, I think it would be in their best interest as millions of Torontonians are using, and want to be using, their services, and are going to be watching.”
If the companies fail to act, Champagne said that mandatory penalties would be imposed, including suspension or revocation of their spectrum licence.
“This is very serious business,” he said.
‘A happy day’ for subway riders, mayor says
Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the announcement, saying “today is a happy day. All the transit riders are going to have a sigh of relief.”
Chow said the availability of cellphone service on the subway means moms and dads would be able to connect with their children when they are on the subway.
“Those that want to do some homework or do some work on the subway, you can do that, you could text,” Chow said.
Commuters are photographed on their phones at Yonge Station in Toronto on Aug. 23, 2023. (Alex Lupul/CBC)
She also said if people are in trouble, they would be able to connect with someone.
“That sense of security is so important,” the mayor said.
Major telecom providers react
So far, two of the major telecom providers have reacted to Champagne’s announcement.
Rogers spokesperson Sarah Schmidt said the approach reflects what Rogers been proposing all along: to bring 5G services to all riders as quickly as possible.
“Bell and Telus have been dragging their heels and the federal government is now forcing them to work with us in earnest to make connectivity possible for all riders,” she said in a statement.
Schmidt called it “good news for Toronto transit riders” and said Rogers will “continue to work around the clock to upgrade and expand the network so all riders can connect anywhere on the subway.”
Meanwhile, Telus spokesperson Richard Gilhooley said the company is pleased by today’s decision “to compel Rogers to provide access to all carriers on the TTC.”
Gilhooley said Champagne’s order will significantly improve public safety and fair competition.
“It is regrettable that it took his action to force Rogers to do what they had promised to do months ago,” Gilhooley said.
Bell spokeswoman Jacqueline Michelis said the news will mean greater connectivity, convenience and safety.
“With the federal government now forcing Rogers to finally work with other carriers, we look forward to providing our customers with underground wireless coverage in the coming weeks,” she said in a statement.
TORONTO – Canada Goose Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal that will result in the creation of its first eyewear collection.
The deal announced on Thursday by the Toronto-based luxury apparel company comes in the form of an exclusive, long-term global licensing agreement with Marchon Eyewear Inc.
The terms and value of the agreement were not disclosed, but Marchon produces eyewear for brands including Lacoste, Nike, Calvin Klein, Ferragamo, Longchamp and Zeiss.
Marchon plans to roll out both sunglasses and optical wear under the Canada Goose name next spring, starting in North America.
Canada Goose says the eyewear will be sold through optical retailers, department stores, Canada Goose shops and its website.
Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss told The Canadian Press in August that he envisioned his company eventually expanding into eyewear and luggage.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Almost seven years since news broke of an alleged conspiracy to fix the price of packaged bread across Canada, the saga isn’t over: the Competition Bureau continues to investigate the companies that may have been involved, and two class-action lawsuits continue to work their way through the courts.
Here’s a timeline of key events in the bread price-fixing case.
Oct. 31, 2017: The Competition Bureau says it’s investigating allegations of bread price-fixing and that it was granted search warrants in the case. Several grocers confirm they are co-operating in the probe.
Dec. 19, 2017: Loblaw and George Weston say they participated in an “industry-wide price-fixing arrangement” to raise the price of packaged bread. The companies say they have been co-operating in the Competition Bureau’s investigation since March 2015, when they self-reported to the bureau upon discovering anti-competitive behaviour, and are receiving immunity from prosecution. They announce they are offering $25 gift cards to customers amid the ongoing investigation into alleged bread price-fixing.
Jan. 31, 2018: In court documents, the Competition Bureau says at least $1.50 was added to the price of a loaf of bread between about 2001 and 2016.
Dec. 20, 2019: A class-action lawsuit in a Quebec court against multiple grocers and food companies is certified against a number of companies allegedly involved in bread price-fixing, including Loblaw, George Weston, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, Canada Bread and Giant Tiger (which have all denied involvement, except for Loblaw and George Weston, which later settled with the plaintiffs).
Dec. 31, 2021: A class-action lawsuit in an Ontario court covering all Canadian residents except those in Quebec who bought packaged bread from a company named in the suit is certified against roughly the same group of companies.
June 21, 2023: Bakery giant Canada Bread Co. is fined $50 million after pleading guilty to four counts of price-fixing under the Competition Act as part of the Competition Bureau’s ongoing investigation.
Oct. 25 2023: Canada Bread files a statement of defence in the Ontario class action denying participating in the alleged conspiracy and saying any anti-competitive behaviour it participated in was at the direction and to the benefit of its then-majority owner Maple Leaf Foods, which is not a defendant in the case (neither is its current owner Grupo Bimbo). Maple Leaf calls Canada Bread’s accusations “baseless.”
Dec. 20, 2023: Metro files new documents in the Ontario class action accusing Loblaw and its parent company George Weston of conspiring to implicate it in the alleged scheme, denying involvement. Sobeys has made a similar claim. The two companies deny the allegations.
July 25, 2024: Loblaw and George Weston say they agreed to pay a combined $500 million to settle both the Ontario and Quebec class-action lawsuits. Loblaw’s share of the settlement includes a $96-million credit for the gift cards it gave out years earlier.
Sept. 12, 2024: Canada Bread files new documents in Ontario court as part of the class action, claiming Maple Leaf used it as a “shield” to avoid liability in the alleged scheme. Maple Leaf was a majority shareholder of Canada Bread until 2014, and the company claims it’s liable for any price-fixing activity. Maple Leaf refutes the claims.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:L, TSX:MFI, TSX:MRU, TSX:EMP.A, TSX:WN)
TORONTO – TD Bank Group, which is mired in a money laundering scandal in the U.S., says chief executive Bharat Masrani will retire next year.
Masrani, who will retire officially on April 10, 2025, says the bank’s, “anti-money laundering challenges,” took place on his watch and he takes full responsibility.
The bank named Raymond Chun, TD’s group head, Canadian personal banking, as his successor.
As part of a transition plan, Chun will become chief operating officer on Nov. 1 before taking over the top job when Masrani steps down at the bank’s annual meeting next year.
TD also announced that Riaz Ahmed, group head, wholesale banking and president and CEO of TD Securities, will retire at the end of January 2025.
TD has taken billions in charges related to ongoing U.S. investigations into the failure of its anti-money laundering program.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
