Federal Tory says telecommunications prices to rise under Bell Aliant-Ontera purchase

The Tory MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming says telecommunication prices will rise for consumers if Bell Aliant buys Ontera.  Jay Aspin says Ontera doesn’t have to pay taxes or dividends right now because it’s a Crown Corporation.  But if Bell becomes the new owner, it will offset the expense of corporate taxes and dividends by increasing service costs.  Aspin, like other politicians and groups, opposes the sale.  He says at a time when the federal government is reducing prices through more competition, the provincial Liberals are doing the opposite.  The Competition Bureau’s investigation into the sale of Ontera to Bell Aliant should wrap up by October 1^st.