MTS wants to increase local telephone service rates as of January 1, 2001. I have written the following letter to the CRTC in opposition to these proposed rate increases:

October 5, 2000

Secretary General
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

RE: Public Notice CRTC 2000-108

Dear Secretary General,

I am writing to voice my concerns about the rate increases proposed by MTS Communications Inc. on May 1, 2000, and granted by the CRTC on an interim basis in Order CRTC 2000-677.

It is my understanding that these increases would result in a situation where MTS subscribers in Winnipeg will be paying higher rates for local telephone service than subscribers in any other major Canadian city. If approved, local telephone service rates will have increased by nearly ten dollars per month since January, 1996.

Local telephone service must be regarded as an essential service. These latest increases, particularly when considered in the context of other significant recent increases, impose an excessive burden on low income earners and people on fixed incomes. The burden on rural subscribers will be even greater at a time when many rural families face financial difficulties as a result of flooding and low international commodity prices.

I urge you to reject the latest rate increases proposed by MTS.

Yours sincerely,

Bill Blaikie, MP
Winnipeg-Transcona