CRTC announces that Turf Operations Group has paid a penalty of $200,000 for violating the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that 1051080 Ontario Inc. has paid a penalty of $200,000 on behalf of itself and certain subsidiaries operating as Weed Man Ottawa, Weed Man Montreal, Weed Man Hamilton, Weed Man Scarborough and Weed Man Surrey (Turf Operations Group). This payment was made as part of a settlement over violations to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.

Turf Operations Group operates a number of lawn care franchises across Canada. The CRTC's investigation found that from October 3, 2011 to June 25, 2013, Turf Operations Group violated the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules by making telemarketing calls to Canadians who were registered on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) and whose numbers were or should have been on its internal do-not-call lists.

In addition to paying monetary penalties, Turf Operations Group has agreed to ensure future compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and to implement comprehensive compliance programs that will include:

• review and revision of corporate policies and procedures to ensure compliance
• the appointment of an internal compliance officer to ensure ongoing adherence to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules
• an education and training program for employees
• registration and tracking of telemarketing complaints and their resolution, and
• implementation of effective enforcement measures for adherence to corporate compliance policies.
  
  

Quick Facts

• Turf Operations Group has paid a penalty of $200,000 as part of a settlement over violations to the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
• The Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules is a strict set of rules that individuals and organizations must adhere to when making telemarketing calls.
• The CRTC is acting to protect the privacy of Canadians by fostering compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and reminds individuals and organizations of their responsibilities.
• To date, the CRTC's enforcement efforts have yielded $3.6 million in penalties, which are remitted to the Receiver General for Canada, and $741,000 in other payments.
  
  

Quotes

"This latest settlement should serve as a reminder to anyone making telemarketing calls of the importance of following the rules. Canadians who have registered their number on the National Do Not Call List have made a choice not to receive telemarketing calls, and this choice must be respected at all times."

Manon Bombardier, the CRTC's Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer

Related Products

Notice of violation

Associated Links

Key facts for consumers
Key facts for telemarketers
Telemarketing calls and consumer complaints
National Do Not Call List video
Silencing annoying phone calls since 2008
Anatomy of a telemarketing call

SOURCE: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission