The chief executive of
In a
He said the grocer is instead partnering with
While Péladeau said Loblaw has described the move as a routine decision about its store suppliers, he called it "a stratagem designed to exclude some carriers in favour of
"We therefore appeal to you to intervene directly and firmly with Loblaw,
"It is imperative that action be taken to preserve a fair competitive environment in the telecommunications and grocery businesses, in the best interests of Canadians."
The Mobile Shop is available at 180 Loblaw-owned grocery stores across Canada and currently lists plans for sale from all four major Canadian carriers or their subsidiaries on its website.
In a statement, The Mobile Shop said it represents less than five per cent of mobile phone and plan sales in
"Based on our limited market presence in mobile, our decision of which carriers to sell does absolutely nothing to competition," said Daksa Mody, senior vice-president and chief operating officer for PC Financial and Services.
Mody added that Loblaw does not currently have any agreement in place that requires The Mobile Shop to buy or offer any
"We went through a competitive process with all carriers, asking them for various scenarios.
When asked,
In a statement, Champagne's office said the minister cannot direct an investigation on the matter.
"The letter would’ve been best addressed to the
In 2015, the bureau reached an agreement with Rogers and Bell that it said satisfied concerns about their acquisition of
But Rogers, Bell and
The watchdog said those conditions were necessary to ensure the transaction did not provide either carrier with the ability to share confidential information that could result in consumers paying higher prices for wireless products and services.
Péladeau has been on the offensive this month when it comes to concerns about phone and internet competition.
"The incumbents will do anything to protect their monopoly for as long as possible in defiance of government policy," he said at
"We are willing to do what it takes to be a market disrupter, but for us to continue playing our role as a strong fourth player, the constant obstruction from the Big Three to all forms of competition must stop"
Loblaw, meanwhile, has recently made other moves in the telecom sector.
Last month, the grocer launched low-cost cellphone plans under its No Name brand, offering prepaid mobile sim cards for purchase at all No Frills locations across the country.
The new No Name Mobile cellphone plans are powered by its PC Mobile carrier, which has been around since 2005 and runs on Bell's network.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published
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