April 16, 2015 – Ottawa–Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that Metroland Media Group Ltd. has paid $240,000 as part of a settlement over violations of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. Metroland is the largest community newspaper publisher in Ontario.
In response to complaints by Canadians, the CRTC investigated Metroland’s activities for alleged violations of the Rules. The company used an automatic dialing-announcing device to make unsolicited calls. The CRTC concluded that during the period from January 4, 2012, to July 31, 2013, Metroland’s identification message was not compliant because it did not include a local or a toll-free number and a mailing address at the beginning of the telecommunication.
In addition to paying the $240,000 penalty, Metroland will implement a compliance program to avoid similar violations in the future.
The CRTC reminds telemarketers that it is their duty to comply with the Rules, whether they make the calls themselves or hire a third-party agency to make calls on their behalf, and whether they are based in Canada or abroad.
The CRTC is continuing to enhance its monitoring to ensure telemarketers follow the Rules, and to reduce the number of unwanted calls to Canadians. The CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals, firms or organizations engaged in telemarketing, which may lead to a settlement that includes an administrative 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 has issued more than $6.2 million in monetary penalties payable to the Receiver General for Canada and $741,000 in other payments.
The National DNCL was launched in 2008 to protect Canadians from unsolicited telecommunications. Canadians may register permanently on the List at no charge. Over
12.8 million numbers are currently registered on the List.
Canadians can register their numbers, verify whether a number is on the List or file a complaint about a telemarketer by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) or visiting www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca.
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