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Welcome to the PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCACY CENTRE / LE CENTRE POUR LA DÉFENSE DE L’INTÉRÊT PUBLIC
PIAC is a non-profit organization that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services.
Latest Updates ...
PIAC calls CRTC deferral accounts decision a reasonable conclusion to a flawed regulatory adventure
Telecom → Tuesday, August 31, 2010The CRTC Decisions today concerning the disposition of funds in deferral accounts holding excess residential subscriber rates from the 2002-2006 price cap period that were maintained by Bell Canada, TELUS, and MTS was called “a reasonable conclusion to a flawed regulatory adventure”, by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) that represented consumers throughout a process that has lasted ...
PIAC applauds CRTC decision to allow competitors access to important broadband facilities
Telecom → Tuesday, August 31, 2010(PIAC 31/August/2010)—Yesterday’s CRTC decision to allow competitors access to important broadband facilities owned by incumbent telephone companies and cable companies was applauded by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) that represented consumer groups in the proceeding that gave rise to the Commission Decision. “It is a common sense decision that speaks to the need for ...
Public Interest News: Shaw’s Canwest / High-speed internet for everyone / Net wars / Net consent / Internet regulation / Aeroplan / Rogers Netflix
Other → Tuesday, August 24, 2010Shaw Canwest purchase: A negative outcome for broadcasting diversity (PIAC 24/August/2010) Telus Corp. is warning that Shaw’s $2-billion purchase of Canwest’s broadcasting assets could lead to an abuse of market power, and is asking regulators to maintain a vigilant eye on what the cable firm does with its newfound content properties. ... There is also growing anxiety that the deal furthers ...
Is Broadband Basic Service
Telecom → Wednesday, August 18, 2010The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), today released a report that calls for establishing broadband as basic service for Canadians in the same way that telephone service was established as a need for every citizen in the last century. The report titled “Is Broadband Basic Service” describes the developments that have occurred in Europe and other countries worldwide that have made ...
Comments of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre associated with Industry Canada consultation on foreign ownership rules in telecommunications
Telecom → Tuesday, August 17, 2010Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) Submission to Industry Canada Opening Canada’s Doors To Foreign Investment In Telecommunications: Options for Reform 30 July 2010 In its submissions, PIAC notes that inadequate competition, and premature deregulation of many markets has limited choice and quality of service for consumers, and led to mediocre price/value performance. Although PIAC favours ...
PIAC Comments on Potential Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Legislation in Ontario
Consumers → Friday, August 06, 2010The Anti-SLAPP Advisory Panel requested submissions from organizations, including PIAC, and the public to assist them in successfully discussing what the potential content of Ontario legislation against strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) should include. PIAC has extensively studied this subject matter, evidenced by its 2004 report titled “Corporate Retaliation Against ...
PIAC Submission to the Government Consultation on A Digital Economy Strategy for Canada
Telecom → Thursday, July 29, 2010Download File: piac_submission_on_digital_economy_2010.pdf [size: 0.24 mb] PIAC Submission to the Government Consultation on A Digital Economy Strategy for Canada INTRODUCTION PIAC is grateful for the opportunity to comment on the important issues raised in the Consultation Document issued by the Government on Canada on the digital economy. Our comments are based on our work in ...
Saskatchewan Payday Loan Rate Among Nation’s Highest; Will Hurt Most Vulnerable Consumers in Economic Downturn
Financial → Friday, June 18, 2010The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) today condemned the Province of Saskatchewan’s proposed payday lending rate as amongst Canada’s highest. “The payday loan rate set by the Government of Saskatchewan is ludicrously high and will be taken 100% from vulnerable consumers,” said John Lawford, Counsel at PIAC. Saskatchewan’s $23 per hundred borrowed rate is only surpassed in Nova Scotia ...
Consumers' Gains in Copyright Bill Can be Taken Away by Media Companies : La Loi sur le droit d’auteur
Consumers → Friday, June 04, 2010(Ottawa) The Canadian Consumer Initiative today cautioned consumers that the Government’s proposed Copyright Modernization Act, Bill C-32, permits existing and new consumer use rights such as backing up content, time- and format-shifting to be taken away by digital locks and license agreements. Bill C-32 creates a prohibition on removing or circumventing “technical protection measures” (TPMs) ...
Bell Canada Touch-Tone Overcharge Reversed
Telecom → Friday, May 21, 2010The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) today welcomed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) decision on May 19 to reverse “Touch-Tone” charges imposed unilaterally by Bell Canada (Bell) on certain of its local telephone customers. The CRTC’s decision requires Bell to refund to all customers who have had rotary dial phone service since 1993 or earlier the ...
PIAC Calls for Attention to TV Switch to Digital Over the Air
Consumers → Thursday, May 06, 2010PIAC Calls for Attention to TV Switch to Digital Over the Air (OTTAWA)—The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) today called for an approach to the ending of over-the-air (OTA) analogue television next year in line with the way the United States prepared for the same event in 2009. In August 2011, Canadians who currently get their TV OTA for free will not be able to do so unless their ...
Articling Position at PIAC, 2011-2012
About PIAC → Thursday, May 06, 2010PIAC has an articling position for the 2011-2012 year that has been made available through The Law Foundation of Ontario Public Interest Articling Fellowships program. Details are here: Download File: articling_posting_2011_2012_piac.pdf [size: 0.02 mb] PIAC Articling Position 2011-2012