This is the response I got from my local MP. Instead of complainging as I did, now is your chance to do something about it. Read below and follow the instructions. If we all work together we will achieve.
below:
Thank you very much for your e-mail. I agree with you that the so-called "dead air" calls are annoying, so I will go straight to the point. If you call the Canadian Marketing Association at 1-800-267-8805 they will put you on their Do-not-call list. The national Do-Not-Call list is schedules to start in September of this year, as per the information on the CRTC website (
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/t1026.htm)
I had my staff do some research on this subject and found some more information about this issue:
What is a "dead air" call?
Consumers may also receive a telephone call where no one is on the other end. These calls are often the result of something called "predictive dialling". Some telemarketing organizations use automatic, or predictive diallers to place telephone calls or send faxes. A "dead air" or "hang up" call will occur if a telemarketing representative is not available when the call is answered by the consumer. Generally, companies allow sufficient time between calls for a representative to be available; however, if the telemarketing representative is on another line longer than expected, the result is "dead air". These calls are also referred to as abandoned calls.
And this is the link to the updated CRTC Telemarketing Rules:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/t1022.htmI hope this information is useful to you and thank you again for contacting me on this issue.
Sincerely,
Wayne Marston, MP
Hamilton East - Stoney Creek