Dateline: 10/14/01
Are you frustrated by telemarketing calls and unsolicited faxes? Do you have constructive ideas on how they can be better controlled? The federal government Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is asking for the public's input in a review of the current rules for telemarketing in Canada.
Current Rules for Telemarketing
The CRTC has standardized its rules on telemarketing and extended them to include all telephone companies in Canada - including resellers and cell phone providers.
Those rules include
The use of Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices (ADADs), which send pre-recorded or synthesized voice messages, also has restrictions. For example, ADAD calls are not allowed to be used to solicit, even for a charity, or to make referrals to a 900/976 service number.
If telemarketers don't follow the rules, telephone companies may suspend or disconnect the telephone or fax service used.
The CRTC now wants to know if these rules are strong enough.
Changes Being Suggested
Some of the questions the CRTC would like the public's opinion on are:
You can find a full list of the questions raised by the CRTC at
Note: In May 2004, the CRTC issued New Rules for Canadian Telemarketers resulting from this review.
