WINDSOR, ON — Brian Masse, MP for Windsor West and NDP Industry Critic, is asking the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Competition Bureau to launch an inquiry into whether Canadians’ privacy or consumer rights were violated by telecom companies whose “misleading and aggressive” sales practices were exposed earlier this week in a CRTC report.
In a letter written on Wednesday and posted to his website on Thursday, Masse requested that the Privacy Commissioner and Competition Bureau launch further investigations into the findings of the CRTC’s report on Misleading or Aggressive Communications Retail Sales Practices, which was released February 20.
“The report revealed the egregious sales practices of 12 Canadian providers of wireless and Internet services including some of the country’s largest telecommunications companies,” Masse wrote in his letter. “The misleading and aggressive practices existed in all types of sales channels including in stores, online, over the telephone and at homes when companies conduct door-to-door sales campaigns. Furthermore, it exposed that those significantly impacted were the most vulnerable members of the public such as seniors, people with disabilities and Canadians whose first language is not English or French.
“Telecommunication services are essential to all aspects of life in our age. To ensure that Canadians’ privacy and consumer rights are protected requires persistent vigilance. My request for inquiries from both of your agencies is part of that process,” Masse added.
