Cut charges for calls made to helplines, consumer groups ask CRTC

OTTAWA - The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and Chimo Community Services (Chimo) want the CRTC to eliminate charges for Canadians who call helplines and crisis lines from their cell phones, and to protect helpline users’ privacy.Currently, Canadians who call helplines from their wireless phones are charged for those calls or have those voice minutes deducted if they have a voice plan. Callers’ accounts can also identify the fact that a call was made to a helpline, as well as the number of that helpline.In an application filed Wednesday, PIAC and Chimo argued that wireless charges and the inadequate protection...