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Bell reported more than $64 million in gross revenue from inmate calls in Ontario jails during its 2013–2021 contract, according to CityNews. Nearly $39 million was paid to Ontario as commission. The $64 million figure is revenue, not profit; the CRTC’s publicly accessible decision confirms the regulatory history but does not state those dollar totals.
What does the $64 million figure measure?
Bell operated Ontario’s Offender Telephone Management System (OTMS) under an exclusive provincial contract from 2013 to 2021. Inmates used facility payphones to make outgoing local or long-distance collect calls, with recipients billed for the calls. CityNews reported in August 2024 that Bell disclosed more than $64 million in gross revenue from inmate calls over the contract period and paid nearly $39 million to Ontario as commission. Those figures describe gross revenue and commission—not Bell’s profit. CityNews report, 9 August 2024
The CRTC’s staff letter of 19 July 2024 confirms that Bell had placed its annual OTMS revenues for 2013–2021 and the commission percentage paid to Ontario on the public record. The letter itself does not print the $64 million or $39 million totals. CRTC staff letter, 19 July 2024
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What did the CRTC decide about the rates?
In Telecom Decision 2024-324, issued 11 December 2024, the CRTC said Bell’s long-distance inmate-call rates were forborne from rate regulation under Telecom Decision 97-19 and were not subject to CRTC approval during the period in question. It also concluded that it lacked legal authority to adjust historical rates retroactively or retrospectively to provide financial relief to the class-action applicants. CRTC Telecom Decision 2024-324
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The decision addressed the CRTC’s regulatory authority and the status of the historical rates. It did not decide the proposed civil class action. Ransome Capay and Vanessa Fareau, represented by Goldblatt Partners LLP, commenced that proposed action against Bell and Ontario in October 2021 over long-distance rates charged during Bell’s contract. The proceeding had been put on hold while the CRTC clarified regulatory questions.
Did Bell and Ontario overturn the 2024 decision?
No. On 26 September 2025, the CRTC denied Bell’s and Ontario’s applications to review and vary Telecom Decision 2024-324, finding they had not established substantial doubt about its correctness. The decision clarified regulatory issues for the court proceeding; it is not a final civil judgment in the class action. CRTC Telecom Decision 2025-251
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Who provides Ontario jail phone service now?
Synergy Inmate Phone Solutions replaced Bell as Ontario’s provider. The CRTC said the public-record evidence showed that Ontario’s long-distance inmate-call rates had decreased significantly after the change. Its decision does not give a current rate schedule, so it cannot establish what a particular call costs today.
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Has the CRTC set national correctional-call rates?
No national rate rule is established by the information-gathering request the CRTC issued on 29 September 2025. The Commission sought information from providers and jurisdictions across Canada about correctional telecommunications contracts, revenues, rates, service and payment options, equipment, and complaints. It said the information would inform its assessment of possible further action; the request itself was not a rate-setting decision. CRTC request for information, 29 September 2025
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