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OTTAWA - Canada's telecommunications regulator laid out new rules on Tuesday for a national do-not-call list that will enable consumers to prevent unwanted phone calls from telemarketers.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said it is in the process of issuing a request for proposals to select an independent operator of the list.
The rule changes, triggered by widespread complaints from consumers that telemarketing calls were a nuisance and an invasion of privacy, would likely take several months to be implemented, it said.
Under existing rules, consumers have to register separately to be on the "do not call" list of each individual telemarketer.
Once the new registry is ready, Canadians can add their phone or fax numbers to the list at no cost for a period of three years. The CRTC will have the power to impose fines of up to C$15,000 $NZ18,100) on businesses that contact anyone on the list.
Some telemarketing calls will be exempt from the new regulations, including calls from registered charities, political parties, opinion polling firms and organisations that already do business with a particular household.
- REUTERS
