Wild Rose MP Blake Richards has been fined $14,400 for failing to follow robocall regulations.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) handed Richards the fine after it was found that calls were made in his riding between August and October 2012. The calls did not identify they were being made on Richards’ behalf or provide a mailing address.
In a release, Richards stated his office hired a service provider to survey constituents on their opinions regarding legislation being considered by parliament. He said he surveys his constituents regularly using a variety of methods.
“It was my understanding that the provider was well experienced with these types of surveys and, as such, it was reasonable to assume the provider would ensure compliance with all applicable regulations,” he stated.
“My only intent was to conduct a legitimate, accurate and nonpartisan survey of my constituents’ views.”
Richards has 30 days to make representation or pay the fine.
In total, the CRTC issued seven notices of violation, according to a May 29 media release from the commission.
Aside from Richards, fines were also handed to the Wildrose Party, the Ontario Conservative Party, the federal NDP, the federal Conservative Party, Liberal MP Marc Garneau and telemarketing firm RackNine Inc.
Overall, $369,000 worth of fines were issued.
According to the CRTC release, the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules require that calls clearly begin by identifying the person on “whose behalf the call is made, including a mailing address and a local or toll-free number at which a representative of the originator of the message can be reached.”
The rules also state these calls must display a number where the originator of the call can be reached.
“We expect political party associations and candidates who are running for office to put appropriate safeguards in place to ensure compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules in future campaigns,” stated Andrea Rosen, the CRTC’s chief compliance and enforcement officer.
The statement from Richards said he has fully and promptly cooperated with the CRTC’s review and will ensure he has a compliance program in effect going forward.
The CRTC is continuing to investigate for incidences of robocalls.
