NDP targets cellphone providers, ticket scalpers

Cellphone providers and online ticket scalpers were served notice in the B.C. legislature on Tuesday that their profit margins were about to be scrutinized.

During the throne speech delivered by Lt.- Gov. Janet Austin, the province committed to “take action to improve billing transparency” for cellphone users.

Austin said the province also planned to introduce rules that would ban ticket robots that buy up tickets en masse so they can be resold at a hefty profit.

B.C. Premier Horgan told reporters “we want to make sure that cellphone providers here in B.C. are open and transparent about the packages that they are putting forward. It’s a significant cost for families, and a significant cost particularly for young people.”

According to Austin, Canadian cellphone and data costs are among the highest in the world. This is attributed in part to the nation’s vast geography. Canada’s big three cellphone providers are Telus, Bell and Rogers and they are overseen by the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission. However, the CRTC does not govern prices.

The process is expected to start with a legislative review and consultation.

Austin added B.C. would “give consumers the tools they need to get the least expensive possible service and encourage the federal government to deliver more affordable cellphone options for people.”

The new rules proposed by the B.C. government for live ticket sales include “a ban on mass ticketbuying software, and more transparency for all companies selling tickets to live events.”