The CEOs of three major Canadian multi-media companies have written to the minister of Canadian Heritage, complaining that two federally funded agencies have gotten involved in the $3.4-billion Bell-Astral deal.
They said it’s inappropriate for a local RCMP detachment in Terrace, B.C., and for Telefilm Canada to have made submissions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in favour of a deal they oppose.
The heads of Cogeco Cable, Eastlink, and Quebecor said they’re concerned about the independence of other federal agencies reviewing the transaction – the CRTC and Competition Bureau.
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The three CEOs say the RCMP and Telefilm Canada are funded by tax dollars and they have asked Heritage Minister James Moore to have their letters withdrawn.
They’ve also asked that the Commissioner of Lobbying investigate the matter.
Cogeco, Eastlink and Quebecor, which compete against BCE’s Bell and Astral Media, launched a high-profile campaign last week against the transaction.
Telus voiced similar concerns on Monday.
