The CRTC has shown that it is serious about weeding out companies that violate its unsolicited telecommunications rules.
The federal regulator announced last week that Turf Operations Group, which operates Weed Man lawn care franchises across the country, has paid a $200,000 fine for making calls to people registered on the National Do-Not-Call List.
According to a CRTC ruling, the company made telemarketing calls to Canadians registered on the National Do-Not-Call List, and whose numbers should have been on the company’s do-not-call lists, between Oct. 3, 2011 and June 25, 2013.
In addition to monetary penalties, Turf Operations Group has agreed to ensure future compliance with the CRTC’s unsolicited telecommunications rules and to implement “comprehensive” compliance programs that include:
• reviewing and revising corporate policies to ensure compliance; the appointment of an internal compliance officer to ensure compliance
• the appointment of an internal compliance officer to ensure ongoing adherence to the unsolicited telecommunications rules
• an education and training program for employees
• registration and tracking of telemarketing complaints and their resolution
• implementation of effective enforcement measures for adherence to corporate compliance policies
“This latest settlement should serve as a reminder to anyone making telemarketing calls of the importance of following the rules,” said Manon Bombardier, the CRTC’s chief compliance and enforcement officer, in the ruling. “Canadians who have registered their number on the National Do Not Call List have made a choice not to receive telemarketing calls, and this choice must be respected at all times.”
Since the National Do Not Call List was instituted in 2008, the CRTC says it has levied more than $3.6 million in penalties to companies violating its unsolicited telecommunications rules, in addition to $741,000 in unspecified “other payments.” These fines are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada.
More than 11.9 million cell and landline phone numbers have been registered to date, with the most recent CRTC stats indicating that 78% of Canadians experienced fewer or no unsolicited calls in 2012.
