OTTAWA-GATINEAU, December 4, 2013 — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that Green Shield Windows and Doors Ltd. has paid a penalty of $65,000 and Peak Windows and Doors Ltd. has paid a penalty of $35,000 as part of settlements over violations to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
The CRTC’s investigations found that both Green Shield and Peak failed to subscribe and pay all applicable fees to the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) operator, resulting in the companies making telemarketing calls to consumers whose numbers were registered on the list.
“We appreciate the cooperation we received from both companies during our investigations,” said Lynne M. Perrault, the CRTC’s Acting Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer at the time the investigations took place. “Any company that is involved in telemarketing activities must put appropriate safeguards in place to ensure compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.”
In addition to paying monetary penalties, Green Shields and Peak have ceased making telemarketing calls. They have also agreed that prior to any future telemarketing, they will hire a third party to do it on their behalf and will implement a comprehensive compliance program with the Commission’s assistance. Such a program must include:
- an acknowledgement of all applicable rules and a commitment to comply fully with them
- the appointment of an internal compliance officer to ensure ongoing adherence with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules
- an education and training program for employees
- appropriate record keeping, and
- internal promotion of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules to improve awareness.
The CRTC enforces the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules in order to reduce unwanted calls to Canadians. Under its enforcement process, the CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals, firms or organizations engaged in telemarketing, which may lead to a settlement that includes a monetary penalty and other corrective measures. The CRTC can also issue warnings and citations, conduct inspections and issue notices of violation.
To date, the CRTC’s efforts have yielded over $3.5 million in penalties, which are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada, and $741,000 in payments to post-secondary institutions.
The CRTC is an administrative tribunal that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
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