Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has called on Canada’s Competition Bureau to investigate an alleged agreement between grocery giant Loblaw and the country’s largest telecom companies, Rogers and Bell.
The NDP issued a statement highlighting concerns that a division of Loblaw, The Mobile Shop, is reportedly partnering with Glentel, a wireless retailer owned by Bell Canada and Rogers, in 180 of its stores nationwide. According to the NDP, this partnership could “reduce competition and keep prices high for Canadian consumers.”
Earlier this week, Quebecor Inc.’s CEO wrote to Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, urging federal intervention to halt the deal. Pierre Karl Péladeau stated that this move would displace Freedom Mobile, Quebecor’s subsidiary, from The Mobile Shop’s kiosks.
In his statement, Singh expressed frustration over the lack of competition in Canada’s grocery and telecom industries. “Canadian consumers pay some of the highest cellphone and internet bills in the world while the big telecom companies maximize profits for their shareholders and give outrageous bonuses to their CEOs,” said Singh. “This isn’t happening by accident.”
Brian Masse, NDP Critic for Innovation, Science and Industry, echoed Singh’s concerns, describing the Loblaw-Glentel deal as “concerning” and emphasizing the federal government’s authority to regulate such agreements.
The Mobile Shop’s website claims it offers “unbiased advice across all wireless brands” and insists it does not favor any single carrier.