OTTAWA — Canadians will be able to register on a do-not-call list to screen out unwanted calls from telemarketers starting Sept. 30.
The date announced Wednesday by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is 2½ years after the commission started its formal process to set up the registry, and five years after do-not-call legislation took effect in the United States.
The CRTC's arrangement will enable Canadians who do not want to be contacted by telemarketers to register their phone numbers. There will be no charge for this.
“For many Canadians, the national DNCL [do not call list] will come as a relief to the nuisance of telemarketing calls,” the CRTC said in a news release.
“It will, however, have some exemptions. Consumers may still receive calls from registered charities, political parties, and newspapers seeking subscriptions,” the CTRC said.
“Companies with whom a consumer has an existing business relationship will still be able to call, as well as those conducting surveys.”
Relief will not occur immediately after the registry is launched, the CTRC added.
“Telemarketers will have 31 days to update their calling lists. If consumers continue to receive non-exempt calls 31 days after they have registered, they will be able to file complaints.”
Bell Canada was named last year as operator of the registry, under a five-year contract.
To put their numbers on the list, Canadians will be able to log on to www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca as of Sept. 30, or call 1-866-580-3625, the CRTC said.