Do-Not-Call List Violations Can Involve Real Penalties

Recently, Turf Operations Group (1051080 Ontario Inc), operating a number of lawn care franchises across Canada, paid a penalty totalling $200,000 to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for having violated the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (Rules). Turf Operations Group subsidiaries consist of Weed Man Ottawa, Weed Man Montreal, Weed Man Hamilton, Weed Man Scarborough, and Weed Man Surrey. The payment resulted from a CRTC Notice of Violation against Turf Operations Group stating that between October 3, 2011 and June 25, 2013 the company made telemarketing calls to promote its services to individuals who were registered on the National Do Not Call List. In addition to paying the penalty, Turf Operations Group agreed to take steps to ensure future compliance with the Rules such as reviewing and revising its corporate policies and procedures, appointing an internal compliance officer, providing education and training for employees, and documenting and tracking telemarketing complaints, as well as their resolution. CRTC’s Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer, Manon Bombardier, had this to say about the Turf Operations Group incident: “This latest settlement should serve as a reminder to anyone making telemarketing calls of the importance of following the rules. 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.” The CRTC says that it has levied $3.6 million in penalties in course of enforcing the Rules. For more commentary, see: http://tinyurl.com/ngsvxqg; and http://tinyurl.com/onenwl3 Summary by: Thomas Wong