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

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

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

CONTACT: Media Relations
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
819-997-9403


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