Rick Perkins moved, —

That, in relation to recent reports that Rogers will increase customer cell phone bills following a pledge by Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri that “prices are going to come down” as part of the $26 billion Rogers-Shaw merger approved by the Liberal Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, after committee experts and the Competition Commissioner warned that the deal would lead to higher prices for consumers, the committee therefore agrees to be immediately recalled to undertake a study of up to four meetings, of at least two hours per meeting to study the impact of the liberal approved merger and that these meetings begin at the earliest opportunity and conclude by Friday, January 26, in order for the committee to return to its regular agenda when Parliament resumes, and that the committee invite the following witnesses to appear before the committee,

(a) Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry and Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada;

(b) Tony Staffieri, CEO and President of Rogers, Mirko Babic, President and CEO of BCE, Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS, and Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor Media;

(c) Navdeep Bains, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Rogers Communication, and former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry;

(d) Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition, and;

(e) all other witnesses deemed relevant by the committee;

Debate arose thereon.

A point of order was raised as to the procedural acceptability of the proposed motion.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the amendment out of order because it would require the committee to vote on a question that has already been decided by the committee.

The debate continued.

At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.

On Monday, January 29, 2024, at 11:07, the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent the motion moved by Rick Perkins was withdrawn.

The Chair presented the Sixth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on Thursday, January 18, 2024, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That, the Committee hold six (6) additional meetings with witnesses in consideration of Bill C-27, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

2. And that the Committee proceed to clause by clause consideration of Bill C-27 following the Easter break.

3. That, in relation to its consideration of the Recent Investigation and Reports on Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the committee invite Leah Lawrence to appear before it.

4. That, the committee commence its study on the modernization of the regulatory framework and the convergence of wired and wireless products as agreed to in the motion on September 28, 2023, as follows: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on the modernization of the regulatory framework and the convergence of wired and wireless products to ensure that future decisions are informed by robust data and recommendations for the benefit of all consumers in terms of accessibility and affordability; that it examine this convergence with relevant stakeholders and what they can enable through technological advancements such as 5G, fiber optics, Wi-Fi 6, and many others; that it examine the need for ubiquitous connectivity, necessary data transmission speeds, and innovative opportunities for businesses and consumers in Canada and internationally; that it scrutinize the operating costs of these technologies and the maintenance of so-called critical infrastructure; that it examine the need for network resiliency in the face of climate change; that it specifically investigate unused spectrum in more remote and rural areas as well as deployment targets; that it examine the need to expand mobile connectivity to improve public safety, particularly along roads and highways; that it examine telecommunications tower construction programs and infrastructure deployment financing; that the Committee allocates a minimum of 6 meetings for conducting this study and that it report its findings and recommendations to the House.

5. And that, in relation to this study, the committee invite Tony Staffieri, CEO and President of Rogers, Mirko Babic, President and CEO of BCE, Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS, and Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor Media, to appear in relation to recent reports that Rogers will increase customer cell phone bills.

6. That the committee hold two meetings with regards to the study on the use of foreign workers at the EV battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, ON

7. And that should time permit, the committee commence its study on issues related to the development and support of the electronics recycling industry as agreed to in the motion on November 28, 2022, as follows: That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on issues related to the development and support of the electronics, metals and plastics recycling industry, from a circular economy perspective; that it examine a wide range of different legislative approaches around the world; that they examine transportation costs and costs of access to material; that the Committee devote a minimum of six meetings to this study and report its findings and recommendations to the House.

It was agreed, — That the Sixth Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

Ryan Williams moved, —

That, given the CEO of Rogers stated that the Rogers takeover of Shaw will result in lower prices, a claim repeated by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and that Rogers was increased cell phone prices this year, the committee call on the following witnesses to appear before the committee:

a) Tony Staffieri, President and CEO of Rogers;

b) Honourable François-Phillipe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry;

c) The Competition Bureau of Canada;

And that these witnesses appear within two weeks of the motion being adopted.

Debate arose thereon.

At 12:49 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:54 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Ryan Williams moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “and report back to the House”.

Debate arose thereon.

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the committee be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Iqwinder Gaheer, Jean-Denis Garon, Viviane Lapointe, Francesco Sorbara, Ryan Turnbull, Tony Van Bynen — 6;

NAYS: Bernard Généreux, Brian Masse, Rick Perkins, Brad Vis, Ryan Williams — 5.