Updated: 2026-07-09 | Rules and enforcement outcomes are subject to official CRTC announcements
The CRTC rule that took effect on June 12, 2026 — banning carriers from charging fees for switching plans, cancelling service, or activating a new plan — was something this site covered earlier (see our Telecom Freedom Has Arrived). But less than a month after the rule took effect, something concerning has emerged — as of July 1, 2026, the CRTC has formally opened an investigation into Rogers, Bell, and Telus, all three of which introduced new charges that appear to directly conflict with the spirit of the new rule.
The most specific case named involves Telus: charging a $15 fee for both physical and eSIM cards. This fee isn’t labelled a “plan-switch fee” or “cancellation fee” in name, but consumer groups and regulators question whether it’s effectively a renamed version of the very fee that was just banned — which is why the CRTC has formally opened an investigation into the carrier. The outcome of the investigation hasn’t been announced yet, and it remains to be seen whether any of the three carriers will be ordered to withdraw the charges or face penalties.
Alongside this rule, another consumer-friendly requirement also took effect around the same time: telecom and internet providers must now give customers written notice 90 days before a contract expires or before a promotional discount ends; if your international roaming charges reach $50, the carrier must also proactively notify you. For anyone who tends to forget when their contract is up, or who worries about roaming bills piling up while travelling abroad, this adds a layer of protection — though, as with the SIM fee controversy above, whether carriers actually follow through remains to be seen.
For anyone using or planning to switch Canadian telecom service, this controversy is a practical reminder: new rules taking effect doesn’t automatically mean carriers will comply without pushback. Before switching plans, check your bill line by line for any unfamiliar new charges. If you spot something that looks like it might violate the rules, raise it with the carrier first; if that doesn’t resolve it, you can file a complaint with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services (CCTS) — it’s free, and the phone line is 1-888-221-1687. For the full details on the fee-ban rule or how to choose a Canadian phone/SIM plan, see our guide to choosing a Canada SIM card or eSIM.
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