CRTC Moves to Curb Bill Shock With New Consumer Notification Rules

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has announced new measures aimed at protecting consumers and helping Canadians better understand their internet and cellphone plans.

The changes follow updates to the Telecommunications Act that came into force in October 2025, requiring the regulator to strengthen consumer protections.

As part of the effort, the CRTC conducted a public consultation on how service providers communicate with customers. Feedback was gathered from individuals, consumer groups and telecommunications companies.

Under the new rules, providers must notify customers before contracts, discounts or promotional offers expire. Canadians will also receive alerts when international roaming charges reach $50.

The notifications must include information on available plans and how customers can switch, a move the CRTC says will help prevent unexpected charges and allow users to make more informed decisions.

The commission says the changes are part of a broader push to give Canadians more control over their telecommunications services. Additional measures are expected in the coming months, including efforts to simplify and combine existing consumer protection codes into a single, more accessible framework.