Bell CEO to testify at committee over job cuts. What to expect – National [Video]

Members of Parliament have issued a summons to the head of Bell Canada to compel his testimony next month about the company’s decision to cut thousands of jobs across the country.

CEO Mirko Bibic and a handful of other executives were originally invited to appear before the Canadian Heritage committee on Feb. 29 and then March 19, but MPs say they had been unable to attend.

Last week, in a closed-door meeting, the committee agreed to summon Bibic to appear on April 11 to answer questions and talk about the job cuts.

When a witness declines an invitation to appear, a committee may issue a summons to compel their attendance.

Bell’s parent company BCE Inc. “enacted its largest layoff in 30 years and haven’t even bothered showing up to explain to Canadians why,” said NDP Niki Ashton, who introduced the motion to summon Bibic.

Because it was a closed-door meeting, …