Bell sued over fee for non-existent service
Bell Mobility cellphone customers in Northwest Territories are charged 75 cents per month for 911 service. The only problem is: Bell does not actually provide 911 service in all areas of the territory.
So, understandably, a Yellowknife man, James Anderson, launched a class-action lawsuit in 2007 over the fee for a non-existent service. What’s hard to understand is that Bell is fighting the suit tooth and nail. The company has just lost its second attempt to have the case thrown out.
Appearing before the N.W.T. Court of Appeal in Yellowknife on Tuesday, lawyers for Bell Mobility argued that it never agreed to provide 911 service.
The company said there was no mention of providing the emergency service in its contract with cellphone customers.
The judges did not consider that a solid defence. I wonder why.
“You jolly well billed for it,” [Justice Jean] Côté told Bell Mobility’s lawyers in court at one point.
The judges dismissed the company’s appeal without hearing a word from Anderson or his lawyer.
Last October, the NWT Supreme Court tossed Bell’s argument that Mr Anderson’s suit was not legitimate.
Bell’s strategy at this point appears to be dragging the proceedings out as long as possible.