Letter

File No: 8665-C12-200711748 

Ottawa, 17 October 2007

By Electronic mail

To: Interested Parties List - Public Notice 2007-16

Re: Proceeding to consider the organization and mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services - Public Consultation

1. This is further to the procedures set out in Proceeding to consider the organization and mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services, Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2007-16, 22 August 2007 (Public Notice 2007-16).

2. Parties to the upcoming public consultation, commencing on 14 November 2007, may address all relevant issues raised by Public Notice 2007-16. To the extent possible, parties are asked to structure their submissions along the lines set out in the Attachment to this letter. The Panel's questions at the public consultation may also be structured along these lines.

Yours sincerely,

(Original Signed by)

John Macri
A/ Director, Consumer Affairs
Telecommunications

c.c.: Philippe Kent, CRTC (819) 953-4057

Attachment  

ATTACHMENT

1) Membership

Whether membership in the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (the Consumer Agency) should be mandatory for all telecommunications service providers (TSPs).

If so, (a) whether the funding structure of the Consumer Agency is appropriate and (b) which mechanism(s) the Commission should use to establish and enforce mandatory membership.

2) Governance Structure

Whether the Consumer Agency's proposed governance structure ensures independence from the telecommunications industry, especially as the proposal relates to (a) the structure of the Board of Directors; (b) the nomination of the CEO; and (c) the requirement for special and extraordinary resolutions on various issues.

Whether the Consumer Agency's proposed governance structure should be changed if membership were mandatory for all TSPs.

3) Mandate

Whether the Consumer Agency's proposed mandate is appropriate with respect to (a) the services and matters in scope (e.g. the exclusion of regulated services); (b) the development of codes of conduct; (c) the identification of industry trends; (d) the publication of an annual report.  

4) Telemarketing

Whether it would be appropriate for the Commission to delegate its investigative powers with regard to Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules complaints to the Consumer Agency.

5) Other Matters

Other matters associated with the Consumer Agency, including (a) the proposed procedures for complaints for consumers in general as well as how these relate to accessibility by persons with disabilities; (b) the proposed remedies; (c) whether a review period should be established; and (d) whether there should be any specific communication requirements (e.g. public awareness campaign) for the Consumer Agency and for its TSP members.