It's a common scenario. You open a your monthly bill, grimace at the charges and then insult is met with injury - the company is charging you a fee for sending your bill by mail.
The "pay-to-pay" scheme may soon be coming to an end as Industry Minister James Moore has announced the government will introduce a bill this fall to ban the practice. The bill is targeted at the country's major telecommunications companies, which particularly favour the fees. We applaud the Conservatives for this plan.
The consumer-focused think-tank Public Interest Advocacy Centre released a report this week concluding Canadians pay more than $500 million in fees for the privilege of receiving their bills by mail.
That's $500 million that's not being spent on groceries, housing, entertainment or charity.
The telecoms can hardly plead poverty while they've been busy buying up naming rights to every arena and stadium in the country, not to mention a monopoly on NHL broadcasting for the next decade.
Yes, getting your bills via email is probably cheaper and certainly more environmentally friendly, but it doesn't work for everyone and it should be up to the consumer to decide. And no one should be punished because they prefer paper.
We must note, however, the irony of the federal government coming to the defence of those who don't mind getting bills in the mail just months after announcing Canada Post will soon phase out home delivery.
That's something to think about when you're soon making the long walk or drive to pick up your "free bill" at the neighbourhood super box.
