May 30, 2008
OTTAWA-GATINEAU - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today reviewed and varied its December 2007 decision granting conditional approval to the consumer agency known as the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Inc. Some industry members filed, in February 2008, applications requesting modifications to the decision.
After reviewing the applications and related submissions, the Commission has decided to maintain the agency's membership requirements for a period of only three years. At that time, the Commission will review the need for these mandatory requirements. No extension of the mandatory requirements can take place without a new Commission decision. Membership is currently required for all service providers whose annual revenues exceed $10 million.
In addition, the Commission has clarified the circumstances under which the agency can provide remedies related to consumer complaints. For example, when a consumer is awarded monetary compensation related to a dispute with a service provider, the award will be limited to direct financial loss.
Finally, should the agency receive a collective complaint, the maximum monetary compensation for that complaint will be no more than $5,000, regardless of the number of complainants.
The Commission will grant the agency its final approval once the revised conditions of approval have been met.
Under the Telecommunications Act, parties can submit an application asking the Commission to review, vary or rescind a decision.
Telecom Decision CRTC 2008-46 [.htm] [.pdf]
The CRTC is an independent, public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
Reference documents: CRTC News release, December 20, 2007
Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-130 [.htm] [.pdf]
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Date Modified: 2008-05-30
