OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Turf Operations Group has paid $200,000 in penalties as part of a settlement over violations to the country’s telemarketing rules.
Turf Operations Group operates a number of lawn care franchises across Canada. The fine was made on behalf of itself and certain subsidiaries operating as Weed Man Ottawa, Weed Man Montreal, Weed Man Hamilton, Weed Man Scarborough and Weed Man Surrey, the CRTC said Friday.
After conducting an investigation between October 3, 2011 and June 25, 2013, the Commission determined that the company violated the unsolicited telecommunications rules by making telemarketing calls to Canadians who were registered on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) and whose numbers were or should have been on its internal do-not-call lists.
In addition to paying monetary penalties, the Ontario-based company has agreed to ensure future compliance with the unsolicited telecommunications rules and to implement compliance programs that include:
– review and revision of corporate policies and procedures to ensure compliance;
– the appointment of an internal compliance officer to ensure ongoing adherence to the unsolicited telecommunications rules;
– an education and training program for employees;
– registration and tracking of telemarketing complaints and their resolution, and
– implementation of effective enforcement measures for adherence to corporate compliance policies.
“This latest settlement should serve as a reminder to anyone making telemarketing calls of the importance of following the rules”, said Manon Bombardier, the CRTC’s chief compliance and enforcement officer, in the announcement. “Canadians who have registered their number on the National Do Not Call List have made a choice not to receive telemarketing calls, and this choice must be respected at all times.”
