Rogers CEO dodges committee questioning over service contracts
- Tony Staffieri was summoned to testify before an industry committee regarding price increases on TV and internet contracts.
- Rogers CEO failed to attend the hearing on November 28, sending another executive, Bret Leech, in his place.
- Committee members expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the CEO and criticized the decision as a lack of respect for Canadians.
In Canada, Tony Staffieri, the CEO of Rogers Communications, had been called to testify before an industry committee regarding allegations of price gouging related to the company's TV and internet service contracts. These contracts reportedly included provisions that allowed for price increases even when customers were under contract. The committee, which passed a motion on October 28 requesting Staffieri's appearance, aimed to address growing consumer complaints about the company’s practices. However, on November 28, Staffieri did not show up as scheduled. Instead, Bret Leech, Rogers’ president of residential services, was sent in his place. This last-minute substitution drew criticism from committee members, with MPs expressing concerns that this tactic represented a lack of respect for the parliamentary process. The committee's frustrations were compounded by Republican MP Rick Perkins and NDP MP Brian Masse's accusations that Staffieri had been avoiding accountability all year. Staffieri's absence was attributed to an