TORONTO – Canada’s anti-spam legislation and the unsolicited telecommunications rules are here to stay, something that should be welcomed by the country’s “legitimate marketers”, CRTC chair Jean-Pierre Blais told the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA).
In a speech to the organization Tuesday, Blais (pictured) injected a splash of humour by equating unwanted marketing messages and calls with a stranger walking through attendees’ front door, tracking dirt across their kitchen floor, going to their fridge, grabbing a drink and then plopping themselves down in front of their TV.
“That’s pretty much how Canadians today feel about uninvited marketers who invade the private spaces of their smartphones”, Blais said. “That’s pretty much how Canadians feel about spam and unsolicited telecommunications. And that’s why they demanded – and Parliament responded with – CASL and the National Do Not Call List. Cause and effect: It’s not complicated.”
Blais detailed the CRTC’s recent efforts to thwart the Dorkbot botnet case and shut down illegal telemarketers in Canada and India, and urged CMA members to “get on side, to comply with the law”.
“At the CRTC, our goal is to promote compliance with the law and prevent recidivism. It’s not ultimately enforcement. We don’t go out looking for dragons to slay”, Blais continued. “If you need help, get in touch with the CRTC. We want to help. We prefer to be your ally in ensuring compliance among your members, not your adversary when it comes time to enforce the law.”
