CRTC Chairman on his way out
OTTAWA — The head of Canada’s telecommunications regulator is joining the list of agency bosses who’ve lost their jobs after butting heads with the Harper government.
CRTC Chairman Konrad von Finckenstein’s five-year term expires in January, and he confirmed to his staff Tuesday he won’t be returning.
Though appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2007, the two have clashed several times over the last five years and there was growing concern in Tory circles that von Finckenstein was standing in their way.
The majority Tories are expected to relax restrictions on foreign ownership of telecom companies, something Von Finckenstein has already resisted. The former judge presided over the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission during a time of rapidly evolving consumer technology that has put cellphones in the hands of most consumers, made the Internet mainstream and wireless networks common.
Canadian tire launches optional installation service
TORONTO — Canadian Tire is launching a new installation service in a bid to expand its reach beyond its stores and into customer’s homes.
The company says it’s rolling out the national program on Friday that will make it a “one-stop shop” that ensures some of its products are operational in the home. The initial rollout will cover garage door openers, but Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) plans to expand the installation program to central vacuums next month. Some stores will also handle installation of hot water tanks as well as heating and cooling systems. The services compete directly with similar options available at competing hardware retailers Home Depot and Lowe’s. A growing number of companies have launched similar at-home installation and assembly options.
