And the answer is - no. 

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the federal government has refused to reverse a CRTC decision that would quickly lower Internet rates for independent companies that allowed consumers to get web access for less money. It was a story highlighted on SOWNY just two days ago. 

The Commission originally had ruled in favour of the smaller guys, hoping to spark competition but then CRTC chair Ian Scott - a former Telus lobbyist - suddenly and inexplicably reversed that edict, forcing prices up and threatening the very existence of the smaller companies. 

Some have already thrown in the towel and gone out of business.

It appears the government, however, is trying to buy itself some time from the wrath of what is sure to be angry consumers, even though it was the feds who promised in previous election campaigns to reduce the costs for the average customer. 

So how are they planning to fix this mess? They've issued a press release filled with a ton of mumbo jumbo that almost assuredly means they won't - and hope you'll forget. Here are the new marching orders given to the CRTC on Thursday: (Seems odd, since they didn't obey them the last time.)

• requiring large companies to continue to give access to competitors at regulated rates so they can offer better prices and more choices to Canadians. The CRTC must take action to have more timely and improved wholesale rates available.
• directing the CRTC not to phase out the existing model for wholesale access by third-party competitors and instead preserve and strengthen it in conjunction with the introduction of a new access model that it is planning to introduce.
• directing the CRTC to ensure that wholesale Internet access is available evenly across the market, including on fibre-to-the-home networks.
• requiring large companies to make the speeds that Canadians are demanding available to competitors.

Hands up anyone who thinks any of these things will ever come to pass. Bueller? Bueller?

Even if the CRTC were to administer some of these less-than-specific guidelines, by the time they're implemented, many of the small providers will be long bankrupt. 

As for Canada's excessive cell phone rates, they address that, too:

• directing the CRTC to improve its hybrid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) model as necessary. The government is prepared to move to a full MVNO model, if needed, to support competition in the sector.

What, exactly, does "as necessary" mean? They don't say and we don't know. 

And finally, there's this little nugget:

• directing the CRTC to use the tools available to gather the necessary information to make sound decisions while being more proactive in strategic planning and market monitoring.

"Sound decisions?" The CRTC? Why start now? 

Ottawa rejects internet rates appeal, sets new CRTC policy to boost telecom competition

Read the government press release here.