Two companies face hefty fines from telecom regulator over robocalls

GATINEAU, Que. – Canada’s telecommunications regulator has fined two companies over their telemarketing practices.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says Ontario Consumer Credit Assistance and Quick Connect Solutions both failed to get the consent of people they robocalled to promote their services.

The regulator’s rules bar companies from using auto-diallers without the permission of the people being called.

The CRTC fined Ontario Consumer Credit Assistance $69,000 and Quick Connect Solutions $11,000.

The companies have been ordered to stop making robocalls without first getting people’s permission.

They must also publish a notice on Ontario Consumer Credit Assistance’s website, appoint compliance officers to make sure they follow the rules and report annually to the regulator for the next five years on any consumer complaints and the steps taken to resolve them.