I am writing this to complain bitterly about all the cable companies control of the packages people are forced to buy whether they want the channels or not.
I have been so angry at my cable provider that I wrote to them. A very patronizing woman called me and tried to soothe me. She was well trained but she certainly was no help.
After a number of e-mails to CRTC, I knew it was useless for the average human being to complain to them. They might listen to millionaires or government officials but they do not listen to the average citizen of Canada. They wanted more and more information. I gave them what I had about three times and the next notice from them said case closed.
Approximately three years ago, I gave up cable TV. I could not find a package that suited me. At the time, it was not about money. Most packages had sitcoms that I watched 30-50 years ago, there were sitcoms on the music channels, no interest in sports channels and do not speak French. The one channel 19 I did want, they took away without notification about 10 years ago.
In three years, my bill has gone up about $40 without any changes to anything on computer or phone. If I use the phone once a day it would be a miracle. I do use my computer a lot.
When is the government going to put a cap on the high fees? There are few choices for people on pensions, Employment Insurance, welfare, veterans’ pensions, disability, workman's comp and people making minimum wages. Most of these people keep in touch with the world with TV and it is a comfort to many.
People should be allowed to choose what the package they want without going in debt. Most business have choices.
If I want five things in a grocery store I can pick them out individually. Not so with these cable companies. They dictate to me what I should have and set the fee.
Flora J Thompson,
Charlottetown
