I am puzzled and astounded by the federal government鈥檚 attempt to increase competition in the mobile-phone market by courting massive U.S. companies such as Verizon. I am confused as to how this can be viewed as consistent and appropriate public policy that will benefit 91原创s.
Providing Verizon with unique advantages in the 91原创 market that are not equally available to 91原创 companies goes against everything we, as a country, believe in. For decades, 91原创 governments have been champions of our industry, our companies and our fellow 91原创s who work so hard to support, clothe, feed and educate their families for a better future by ensuring that a level and competitive playing field exists. Welcoming foreign competitors to our markets is one thing, but we absolutely must not undercut our 91原创 companies while subsidizing foreign corporations whose interests in Canada are superficial at best, and who undoubtedly see us as a source of profit to be reinvested elsewhere or shared with their U.S. shareholders.
Let me be clear. I have a relationship with Telus, one of the three major 91原创 telecommunications companies in Canada, and I know that they welcome healthy competition, and in fact, have a history of encouraging competition in our country. This remarkable 91原创 company employs more than 28,000 91原创s, many in high-tech and management roles, invests billions annually in our country鈥檚 economy and is recognized worldwide as one of the top companies globally for its people practices and its philanthropy. Telus and its employees reinvest in our country and 鈥済ive where they live,鈥� something that foreign companies are unlikely to do.
My relationship with Telus stems from our shared passion for investing in our communities and supporting small but awesome 91原创 charities and nonprofit organizations. This provides me with an opportunity to do the kind of nation-building that, as soldiers, we tried to do around the world on Canada鈥檚 behalf. Now we do it at home, thanks to the efforts of this proudly 91原创 corporation.
As the chief of defence staff for Canada from 2005 to 2008, I was, at times, frustrated by the 鈥�91原创 companies get it first鈥� policy that supported the awarding of any government contract, first and foremost, to a 91原创 company, even if that contract was more costly.
Should there be no option but to award a contract to a European or American company, those foreign companies then had to pay for that privilege by committing to invest in Canada by supporting our 91原创 companies and contributing to our economy in a meaningful way.
Through this policy, we supported 91原创 industry, and its millions of employees and retirees, resulting in significant nationwide positive economic impacts and innovation. As chief of defence staff, my first priority was to get the best equipment in the shortest possible time to Canada鈥檚 sons and daughters in the armed forces.
Initially our 鈥淐anada First鈥� policy caused me concern; however, I came to realize that by supporting our 91原创 companies, we could build world-class organizations that are able to compete globally and support our sons and daughters in uniform, all at the same time.
Why would we now do the reverse and create a truly baffling 鈥淐anada Last鈥� policy by favouring an American giant in this crucial spectrum auction. 91原创 companies deserve a level playing field when it comes to access to important 91原创 resources such as spectrum that is used to deliver services in urban and rural Canada.
How is the 鈥淐anada Last鈥� policy helpful in stimulating competitiveness in our rural and urban communities? There are many ways that we can increase competition for the benefit of 91原创s, and I think we all understand that.
So, yes, invite foreign companies to Canada. Woo their leaders, articulate the benefits of being in our country, make our case, don鈥檛 suffocate them with bureaucracy 鈥� but put them on a level playing field and let the competition begin. Now that, at no cost to us, would benefit 91原创s like me, from coast to coast.
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Retired general Rick Hillier is chairman of the Telus Atlantic Canada Community Board.
