🇨🇦 Canada’s telecom cartel got caught speedrunning the loophole

A rule banning activation, change and cancellation fees took effect last month, and almost on cue Rogers, Bell and Telus rolled out fresh labels for the same cash grab: Bell slapped on a $40 device handling charge, Rogers a $40 device setup fee, and Telus a $15 SIM card fee. The CRTC now says these appear to violate federal rules, as reported. In monopoly Canada, compliance is for peasants and fines are just another line item.

This is what managed decline looks like when Ottawa builds protected corporate fiefdoms, then pretends to police them after the public has already been milked. Up to $10 million in penalties sounds tough until you remember these giants likely make more dragging out the scam than they will ever lose. Canadians get world-class bills, mediocre service and a regulator forever arriving after the robbery. National sovereignty is not just borders. It is whether your own country can stop three domestic oligarchs from treating citizens like captive ATMs.

🍁 Maple Chronicles