Parties, MPs and telemarketer face hefty robocalls fines from CRTC

OTTAWA – The CRTC has slapped four political parties, two MPs and a telemarketing firm with hefty fines for breaking the robocalls rules.

The federal Conservatives and NDP, the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, Alberta’s Wildrose Alliance Political Association, Liberal MP Marc Garneau, Conservative MP Blake Richards and Edmonton-based telemarketer RackNine Inc. have been fined a combined $369,000 in penalties.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says the fines are the result of a wide-ranging investigation into the use of robocalls and that it is also looking at other incidents of improper calls.

The regulator says so far Wildrose, the Ontario Conservatives, the NDP, RackNine and Garneau have paid their fines.

The Conservative party, which was fined $78,000, and Richards, who was fined $14,400, have yet to pay the penalty and have 30 days to do so.

Wildrose acknowledged the CRTC penalties earlier this month.