Thousands of unionized workers took to the streets of Toronto Friday to voice their opposition to Verizon Wireless’ possible entry into the Canadian marketplace.
Members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada carried signs and chanted angry slogans against the federal government and the U.S. company as they marched through the downtown core during the noon hour.
“We’re here to ensure that the successful telecommunications services that are provided in Canada are here and not sold off by foreign investors that are just going to be here for the bottom line versus investing in Canada,” CAW President Ken Lewenza told CP24 at the rally.
Verizon has expressed interest in entering the Canadian wireless marketplace by buying one of the country’s struggling start-ups, such as Wind Mobile or Mobilicity.
The federal government has said it would allow such a purchase to proceed in the interest of creating more competition in Canada’s wireless sector.
However the big three players in Canada’s wireless market – Rogers, Bell and Telus – have consistently argued that allowing such a purchase would give a large U.S. company an unfair advantage.
The companies have been running a slew of newspaper ads to try and lobby Canadians to see things their way.
Speaking at Friday’s rally, Lewenza told CP24 that unionized workers are also concerned about the impact Verizon’s entry could have on Canadian jobs.
He said that if the government is really committed to lowering cell phone costs for consumers, then they should make Verizon pledge to offer lower prices as a condition of their entry.
“If they’re so accurate about that statement, then get them to make their commitment from Verizon,” Lewenza said.
But while public debate about the U.S. giant’s possible entry into Canada has been vigorous, the debate could soon be cut short by changing concerns for Verizon.
The protest comes a day after reports that Verizon is looking to spend as much as $130 billion to buy back a 45 per cent stake of its U.S. wireless network from Vodafone Group PLC. Analysts have speculated that such a move could draw Verizon’s focus back home and put plans for a Canadian expansion on the backburner.
Verizon has not yet publicly clarified its intentions with regards to the Canadian market.
Friday’s rally also comes as part of events to mark the last day the CAW will operate as its own entity.
On Saturday CAW and CEP members will meet for the first time as a merged union. The new union, to be known as ‘Unifor’ will be the largest private sector union in Canada, representing 300,000 workers across the country.
CP24 is a division of Bell Media, whose parent company is BCE Inc.
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