From September 30, 2008 Canada joins the civilized countries (such as USA, United Kingdom, Australia and others) to have a national Do Not Call List.The radical step was taken and the technical base supported by Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. The legislation behind the Canada DNC list was created by a close collaboration among the government, Canadian Marketing Association and several public organizations.
Canadians themselves seem to be ecstatic about the DNC list, where they will be able to submit their home numbers as well as mobile and fax numbers. From September 30, it will be possible to join DNC by calling 1 866 580 3625 or by filling an online form at www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca (yes, it is not a joke, it is a working website and someone has taken the trouble to register that domain). Joining the list will be free. Telemarketing gurus will have to pay. A single area cod will cost telemarketing company $CAD 615 and the whole DNC list will be $CAD 11,000 annually.
Although John Gustavson, the CEO of Canadian Marketing Association, said telemarketers are happy about the new list (oh, sure, they’re jumping for joy) Valerie Nippard, product manager for Bell Canada, pointed out that the DNC list will hoist “significant costs to the telemarketing space”.
Customers, though, won’t be protected from charities, political activists, companies they have done business with within the last 18 month, and newspapers offering subscriptions via the means of telemarketing. However, even charities have to stop calls and voice broadcasts if you ask them to add your number to their own internal DNC list.
Each business has to maintain both national Do Not Call list and their own. Fines for doing otherwise will be $CAD 1,500 for individuals and $CAD 15,000 for companies.
