OTTAWA-GATINEAU - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that it will review three requirements associated with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. The Commission is proceeding with this re-examination to ensure that these rules, which include the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) Rules and the Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices Rules, are applied in a fair and efficient manner.
First, certain telemarketing calls and faxes are, by statute, exempt from the National DNCL Rules, including those made by or on behalf of electoral candidates that are members of registered political parties. However, some candidates in municipal, provincial and federal elections are not members of registered political parties. Before making telemarketing calls, they must presently register with the National DNCL and purchase a subscription. The Commission will evaluate whether these candidates should also be exempted from the National DNCL Rules.
Second, the current registration period for the National DNCL is three years. This requirement is intended to prevent numbers from remaining on the list even after they have been disconnected or re-assigned to consumers. The Commission will investigate whether there is an efficient way to remove these numbers. This would allow the National DNCL to provide a better service to consumers by having registered numbers remain on the list indefinitely.
Third, the Commission has established rules to govern the use of Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices, which are used to dial telephone numbers automatically and deliver pre-recorded messages. In certain instances, provincial legislation provides for different restrictions on calling hours when compared to the CRTC's rules. The Commission will consider whether to harmonize its restrictions with provincial legislation.
The Commission is inviting comments from the public on these issues. Interested parties may submit their comments by December 4, 2008. They may do so by filling out the online form, by writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or by fax, at 819-994-0218.
The National DNCL is a free service for consumers, which allows them to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls and faxes they receive. They can register their numbers at any time by visiting the website www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-866-580-DNCL (3625). Those requiring the assistance of a teletypewriter can sign up by dialing 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889).
More than 3.3 million telephone, cellular and fax numbers have been registered on the National DNCL since it was launched on September 30, 2008.
For more information, please visit www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/dncl.htm.
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Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2008-14 [.htm][.pdf]
The CRTC is an independent, public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
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