Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne to reject the takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. by Rogers Communications Inc. 

Singh made the request in a letter he sent to Champagne on Sunday.

“Canadians need lower cell and internet bills, not higher prices. We need more good jobs, not layoffs,” said Singh in the letter. 

Singh’s letter comes ahead of Friday’s fast-approaching deadline to close the $20-billion Rogers-Shaw merger. 

According to Bloomberg, Champagne told reporters on Monday that the Canadian government is not required to adhere to the companies' Feb. 17 transaction deadline. 

“I am not bound by any date that the parties could decide between themselves. What interests me is the interests of Canadians. I will make my decision in time and place,” Champagne said. 

“I will be relentless in making sure that whatever is the decision, that that decision is in the best interest of Canadians and will lower prices.”

The deal needs approval from Champagne, which would allow Rogers to acquire Shaw and Videotron to takeover Freedom Mobile’s wireless business. Specifically, Champagne needs to provide approval for wireless spectrum licences to be transferred from Shaw to Videotron. 

The Rogers-Shaw merger previously cleared a regulatory hurdle when the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed a request from the Competition Bureau to overturn the approval of the Competition Tribunal.