Premier Binns Expresses Opposition Over Proposed Rural Telephone Rate Increase

Premier Pat Binns today voiced opposition over the proposed rate increase by Aliant Telecom for rural telephone services on Prince Edward Island.

"This proposed increase is concerning because of the possibility that it will establish a precedent for customers in rural and urban areas of the province to be charged at different rates which is unfair to rural Islanders as well as being a disadvantage to rural businesses," said Premier Binns.

Premier Binns went on to say that he will be writing Stephen Wetmore, Chief Executive Officer of Aliant, to express this concern and request that the application to the CRTC for this proposed rate increase be withdrawn. The Premier will also be raising this issue with the other Atlantic Premiers when he attends the annual New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers' Conference in Connecticut. "I think that this issue will affect all of us and we should move quickly to have Aliant reconsider their position. Should they be unwilling to reconsider their position, PEI will be applying to the CRTC for intervener status."

"Islanders living in rural or urban areas should have an expectation of reasonable and equal access to services, regardless of where they reside or do business. Although there are costs to doing business, I do not feel that those costs should be unduly born by rural Islanders," observed Premier Binns.