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Debt collection agency wants exemption from CRTC new rules

To avoid unwanted calls from businesses, you can register to be on the Do Not Call List. You can register or check the status of your registration on this website

Ottawa (01 August 2014) — The Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has instituted new amendments to its Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules that govern the use of robocalls or automated dialing. But Total Credit Recovery Ltd., a debt collection company, is crying foul.

Debt collectors urge CRTC to suspend new rules for robocalls

The amendments now require that collectors using robocalls must include an explanation of the purpose of the telephone call and identify their collector clients. The CRTC aready has provided limited exemptions for bill collectors, as long as they could prove the call was of an urgent nature. 

Total Debt Recovery is asking the CRTC to suspend the new rules, but it seems unlikely CRTC will. According to Blacklocks Reporter, the Canadian Marketing Association was denied permission to have its members make automated calls to people with whom they had an existing business relationship.

Do Not Call List 

More than 12.3 Canadians have registered for the Do Not Call List. Companies are forbidden to call these numbers without explicit consent of the householder. Companies found to be in violation of the Do Not Call List can be fined up to $15,000 for each call. 

People already registered on the Do Not Call List can now request an extension of their registration for several more years. People can check the status of their registration on this website

The Do Not Call List has been criticized for the number of exemptions that already exist: i.e. political parties, charities and newspapers. Telemarketers may call if a consumer

  • purchased, leased, or rented a product or service from the telemarketer in the last 18 months;
  • possesses a written contract with a telemarketer for a service that is still in effect or expired within the last eighteen months; and/or
  • made an inquiry about or has submitted an application to a telemarketer regarding a product or service within the last six months.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE