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.
Human Resources Officers must be very busy these days what with the general turnover of employees in our retail and business sectors. It is hard enough to find skilled people let alone potential employees willing to be trained. Then after the training, a few weeks go by then they come to you and ask for a raise. You refuse as there simply is no excess money in the budget and away they fly to wherever they come from, trained but not willing to put in the time to achieve that wanted raise.
I have had potentials come in and we give them a test to see if they do indeed know how to weld, polish or work with wood. 2-10 we hire, and one of those is gone in a week or two. Ask that they want overtime, and their laughter leaving the building is loud and unsettling. Housing starts are doing well but way behind because those trades needed to finish a project simply don’t come to the site, with delay after delay. Some people’s attitudes are just too funny. A recent graduate from a Ivy League university came in for an interview. The position was mid-management potential, but when we told them a three month period was needed and then they would make the big bucks they disappeared as fast as they arrived.
Government agencies are really no help, sending us people unsuited or unwilling to carry out the jobs we offer. Handing money over to staffing firms whose referrals are weak and ineffectual. Perhaps with the Fall and Winter upon us, these folks will have to find work and stop playing on the golf course or cottaging away. Tried to hire new arrivals in Canada but it is truly difficult to find someone who has a real identity card and is approved to live and work here. Who do we hire? Several years ago my father’s firm was rocking and rolling with all sorts of work. It was a summer day when the immigration officers arrived and 30+ employees hit the bricks almost immediately. The investigation that followed had threats of fines thrown at us by the officials. Good thing we kept excellent records, photos and digital copies. We had to prove the illegal documents given to us were as good as the real McCoy.
Restauranteurs, builders, manufacturers, finishers, trades-based firms, and warehousing are all suspect in hiring illegals, yet that becomes secondary as Toronto increases its minimum wage again bringing our payroll up another $120,000. Survival in Canada’s financial and business sectors is questionable for many. Good luck Chuck!. at least your carbon tax refund check should be arriving soon.
NORMAN WELLS, N.W.T. – Imperial Oil says it will temporarily reduce its fuel prices in a Northwest Territories community that has seen costs skyrocket due to low water on the Mackenzie River forcing the cancellation of the summer barge resupply season.
Imperial says in a Facebook post it will cut the air transportation portion that’s included in its wholesale price in Norman Wells for diesel fuel, or heating oil, from $3.38 per litre to $1.69 per litre, starting Tuesday.
The air transportation increase, it further states, will be implemented over a longer period.
It says Imperial is closely monitoring how much fuel needs to be airlifted to the Norman Wells area to prevent runouts until the winter road season begins and supplies can be replenished.
Gasoline and heating fuel prices approached $5 a litre at the start of this month.
Norman Wells’ town council declared a local emergency on humanitarian grounds last week as some of its 700 residents said they were facing monthly fuel bills coming to more than $5,000.
“The wholesale price increase that Imperial has applied is strictly to cover the air transportation costs. There is no Imperial profit margin included on the wholesale price. Imperial does not set prices at the retail level,” Imperial’s statement on Monday said.
The statement further said Imperial is working closely with the Northwest Territories government on ways to help residents in the near term.
“Imperial Oil’s decision to lower the price of home heating fuel offers immediate relief to residents facing financial pressures. This step reflects a swift response by Imperial Oil to discussions with the GNWT and will help ease short-term financial burdens on residents,” Caroline Wawzonek, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Infrastructure, said in a news release Monday.
Wawzonek also noted the Territories government has supported the community with implementation of a fund supporting businesses and communities impacted by barge cancellations. She said there have also been increases to the Senior Home Heating Subsidy in Norman Wells, and continued support for heating costs for eligible Income Assistance recipients.
Additionally, she said the government has donated $150,000 to the Norman Wells food bank.
In its declaration of a state of emergency, the town said the mayor and council recognized the recent hike in fuel prices has strained household budgets, raised transportation costs, and affected local businesses.
It added that for the next three months, water and sewer service fees will be waived for all residents and businesses.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
TORONTO – A new report says many Canadian business leaders are worried about economic uncertainties related to the looming U.S. election.
The survey by KPMG in Canada of 735 small- and medium-sized businesses says 87 per cent fear the Canadian economy could become “collateral damage” from American protectionist policies that lead to less favourable trade deals and increased tariffs
It says that due to those concerns, 85 per cent of business leaders in Canada polled are reviewing their business strategies to prepare for a change in leadership.
The concerns are primarily being felt by larger Canadian companies and sectors that are highly integrated with the U.S. economy, such as manufacturing, automotive, transportation and warehousing, energy and natural resources, as well as technology, media and telecommunications.
Shaira Nanji, a KPMG Law partner in its tax practice, says the prospect of further changes to economic and trade policies in the U.S. means some Canadian firms will need to look for ways to mitigate added costs and take advantage of potential trade relief provisions to remain competitive.
Both presidential candidates have campaigned on protectionist policies that could cause uncertainty for Canadian trade, and whoever takes the White House will be in charge during the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
