CRTC Executes First Inspection Warrant Against Do Not Call List Violator

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced that it executed its first inspection warrant on November 24 when it entered a property in Brampton, Ontario, as part of its ongoing investigation of a company allegedly violating the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.

The targeted company was said to be making unauthorized calls to Canadian numbers registered in the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) for the purpose of selling anti-virus software.

The CRTC’s warrant was granted by an Ontario Justice of the Peace, and the inspection was carried out with the help of the Peel Regional Police services.

“We are committed to protecting Canadians from unsolicited telecommunications and ensuring that telemarketers comply with the applicable rules,” Manon Bombardier, CRTC Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer said. “We will not hesitate to use all the tools at our disposal, including executing inspection warrants, in carrying out investigations of suspected violations and to enforce the Rules. I am grateful to our partners at the Peel Regional Police Services for their assistance in this matter.”

The DNCL has been making headlines recently, and the regulator aims to protect registered Canadians from unwanted phone calls. In October the CRTC fined two companies $170,000 for violating Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. To date, the regulator has imposed penalties of more than $6.4 million payable to the Receiver General of Canada.