Have you ever tried to sell your used phone well after your contract has expired and your phone was paid for in full but found that it is locked? What do you do? You call the carrier and find that it costs $50+ and a week to unlock, but you paid for this phone and it is yours.
The Government of Canada has introduced as of November 14, 2014 the wireless code. This helps consumers understand exactly what their rights are in this circumstance.
In my opinion, upon review of this code the carrier must unlock the phone for a charge within 90 days of the plan being provided to the customer. The customer will have to pay the lesser of the retail price of the phone or the price of the phone negotiated when the contract was started.
If you have any further questions check me out in Nanaimo at the 120 256 Wallace Street, also known as The Network Hub.