Rural access should be priority in Rogers-Shaw review: Ex-Telus CEO
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"I think that's a real opportunity here for the government to make a positive difference," Robert McFarlane, who served as CFO of Telus from 2000 to 2012, said.
Bay Street has been buzzing over speculation that Rogers Communications Inc. will have to find a buyer for Shaw Communication Inc.'s Freedom Mobile business to win regulatory approval for the takeover of its western rival, but a former senior industry executive said regulators might have their eye on another prize in exchange for blessing the $20-billion deal.
Robert McFarlane, who served as chief financial officer of Telus Corp. from 2000 to 2012, said the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's conditional approval of the transaction — which was focused on Shaw's broadcast assets - was expected, and that the most daunting tests for the deal are still ahead.
"The big decisions related to the wireless side are yet to come," he said in an interview Friday.
François-Philippe Champagne, the federal minister of innovation, science and industry, is responsible for one of two remaining regulatory approvals and has recently stated that he will not allow the wholesale transfer of Shaw's wireless licences to Rogers.
"Notice the word wholesale," McFarlane said. "So that leaves the door open at least a crack that they would approve a portion of the wireless [licences going to Rogers]."
The Competition Bureau is the other regulator whose approval is still pending. McFarlane said that based on his past experience, he suspects there are ongoing negotiations between the Bureau and Rogers that would be at an advanced stage by now. He also questioned whether forcing the divestment of Shaw's Freedom Mobile business as a condition for the deal going ahead is the best outcome for Canada.
