CRTC May Change Do-Not-Call List Rules

As reported in a previous E-TIPS article ("Canadian Do-Not-Call List Overwhelmed", October 8, 2008, Volume 7, Number 8), three weeks ago the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a national do-not-call list (DNCL). On October 20, the CRTC announced that it will consider changes to the DNCL. Among the current exemptions, only political candidates who are registered members of political parties are exempted from the list. However, not all candidates in municipal, provincial and federal elections are members of registered political parties. The CRTC is evaluating whether these candidates should also be exempted from the National DNCL Rules. Also under re-evaluation is the DNCL's current registration period. Currently, the period is three years, preventing information from remaining on the DNCL after phone numbers have been re-assigned or disconnected. The CRTC is investigating whether there is a more efficient way to remove re-assigned or disconnected numbers while also allowing some numbers to stay on the list indefinitely. Finally, the CRTC is considering changing its Rules governing Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices. Automatic Dialing and Announcing Devices are used to dial telephone numbers automatically and deliver pre-recorded messages. Provincial legislation and CRTC Rules provide different restrictions on permitted calling hours and the CRTC would prefer to see a harmonization of these rules. For the text of the new CRTC news release, visit: http://tinyurl.com/6ku5c4 For a CBC news article, see: http://tinyurl.com/6l6rbe Summary by: Oren Weichenberg