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Costs Order CRTC 2001-7
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Ottawa, 2 April 2001 |
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Subject: Application to review and vary Order CRTC 2000-531:
Télébec ltée - Rate restructuring |
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Reference: 8662-A65-01/00
and 4754-183
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Application for costs by Action Réseau Consommateur and the
Association coopérative d'économie familiale des Bois-Francs
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1. |
The Commission received an application for costs from Action Réseau
Consommateur (ARC) and the Association Coopérative d'économie
familiale des Bois-Francs (ACEF-BF), dated 3 January 2001, in
respect of their participation in the above-referenced proceeding.
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2. |
ARC/ACEF-BF submitted that they satisfy the three criteria for an
award of costs under section 44(1) of the CRTC Telecommunications
Rules of Procedure (the Rules).
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3. |
ARC/ACEF-BF served their costs application on Télébec ltée.
Since Télébec was the only carrier affected by the issues raised
in the proceeding, it was the appropriate respondent to
ARC/ACEF-BF's costs application.
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4. |
Télébec did not file a reply.
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Commission determination
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5. |
Typically, costs applications are filed by interveners to the
proceeding. In this case, the Commission notes that the proceeding
for which costs are sought was initiated by the applicant. Pursuant
to section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, the Commission
may award costs not only to interveners in its proceedings, but also
to an applicant, such as ARC/ACEF-BF. In the circumstances, the
general criteria and procedures in section 44(1) of the Rules remain
appropriate. |
6. |
The proceeding concerned the review of Télébec's rate increases
that were approved by the Commission in Order CRTC 2000-531,
resulting in a large rate increase for subscribers. The Commission
is satisfied that ARC/ACEF-BF constituents have an interest in the
outcome of the proceeding, that ARC/ACEF-BF participated in a
responsible way, and that they contributed to the Commission's
understanding of the issues. |
7. |
In the view of the Commission, ARC/ACEF-BF have met the three
requirements of section 44(1) of the Rules, and are therefore
eligible for an award of costs.
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Direction as to costs
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8. |
The application for an award of costs in respect of the
above-referenced proceeding is approved.
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9. |
The Commission directs that costs awarded to ARC/ACEF-BF be paid
by Télébec.
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10. |
Costs awarded herein shall be subject to taxation in accordance
with the Rules.
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11. |
Costs awarded herein shall be taxed by Tariq Qureshi.
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12. |
ARC/ACEF-BF shall, within 30 days of the issue of this order,
submit a bill of costs and an affidavit of disbursements directly to
the taxing officer and serve a copy thereof on Télébec.
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13. |
Télébec may, within two weeks of the receipt of those
documents, file comments directly with the taxing officer with
respect to the costs claimed, and serve a copy thereof on
ARC/ACEF-BF. |
14. |
ARC/ACEF-BF may, within two weeks of receipt of any comments by Télébec,
file a reply to Télébec's comments, serving a copy thereof on Télébec. |
15. |
All documents to be filed or served by a specific date must
actually be received, and not merely sent, by that date. |
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Secretary General |
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This document is available in alternative format upon request and
may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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