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Proactive Disclosure
Guelph Federal Liberal Association in violation of Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules
Association pays $4,900 penalty, undertakes comprehensive compliance program
OTTAWA-GATINEAU, August 24, 2012 — Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that a Notice of Violation has been issued to the Guelph Federal Liberal Association (“the Association”) on behalf of Frank Valeriote. The Notice of Violation involved Robocalls made on April 30, 2011, which did not comply with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. As part of a settlement, a penalty of $4,900, has been imposed. The calls involved an election advertising message and were made during the 2011 Federal election campaign in Guelph.
The violations involved a pre-recorded message sent by the Association that failed to identify on whose behalf the call was made; provide necessary call-back information; and display the originating telephone number or an alternate number where the originator could be reached. The calls were made over a period of approximately one hour.
“We appreciate that Mr. Valeriote and the Association fully cooperated with our investigation and committed to comply with the Rules in future campaigns,” said Andrea Rosen, the CRTC’s Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer. “We expect political party associations and candidates who are running for office to put appropriate safeguards in place to ensure compliance with the rules.”
In addition to paying an administrative monetary penalty, the Association and Mr. Valeriote have agreed to implement a compliance program that includes:
- acknowledgement of all applicable rules and a commitment to comply fully with them
- appointment of a Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules compliance officer
- an education and training program for volunteers
- appropriate record retention
- appropriate compliance measures with 3rd party service providers
- promotion of better awareness of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules
The CRTC applies the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules in order to reduce unwanted calls to Canadians. Under its enforcement process, the CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals, firms or organizations engaged in telemarketing, which may lead to a settlement that includes a monetary penalty and other corrective measures.
The CRTC
The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
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