Canada Do Not Call List to be Operational in September

Finally. I just don't understand why set a 3 year limitation of the registration.

I imagine the 3 year limitation is in case the cellphone number is given to someone else, or people have moved and the number is up for grabs.  Still, I'm not looking forward to the phone calls from political parties.  They're all automated now--- and quite annoying.

I'm glad websites like this exist, but I'm concerned that there's a number for a "Do Not Call List" that hasn't been launched yet. Before you dial the number listed in this page, check out the federal government's website CRTC at CRTC -  http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/t1026.htm

The registration will start Sep. 30.

Here is the official press release that mentions the number:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/NEWS/RELEASES/2008/r080730.htm

"Registration is simple. To put their numbers on the National DNCL, consumers will be able to log on to  www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca as of September 30, 2008, and follow the instructions, or call 1-866-580-DNCL (3625). For TTY service only (for the hearing impaired), the toll-free number will be 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889)."

The reason for the three year cut-off is because unlike the U.S. version of the national do not call list, Canada will not be enlisting the services of a company to remove phone numbers when there are phone number changes.  This greatly reduces the costs of administering the list.  Keep in mind that all telemarketers (including political parties and charities) are required to maintain their own internal do not call list, which you can request to be put on when you receive a call.

This list is a complete joke.

First, it is being administered by a telephone service provision company (Bell Canada) rather than an independent third party that does not derive revenue from telephone subscription services. (Is it really in Bell Canada's interest in profits to dissuade its own business customers from using copious numbers of phone lines and copious amounts of long distance?) Whta independent fourth party is going to supervice Bell Canada? The CRTC? Please, let's get serious here.

Second, what most people do NOT seem to realize yet, is that telemarketers and other scam runners can "spoof" the number that shows up in your caller ID just like email spam coming from non-existant addresses. If anyone wishes to keep calling you, all they have to do is spoof their caller ID. It could take forever for Bell Canada to track the offender down.

Third, vast numbers of calls to Canadians originate in the USA, an area where Bell Canada has ZERO jurisdiction. In addition to American companies that can and will ignore such legislation, any Canadian company that wishes to continue to harass Canadians need only outsource its telemarketing efforts to the USA... well... those that haven't already outsourced them to India, etc.

Fourth, one of the biggest exemptions to this DNC list is newspapers calling to sell subscriptions. Oddly enough, the worst offenders, bar none, in Canada, are newspapers. In my case, it's The Globe and Mail. They  outsource to some company that calls CONSTANTLY, hangs up CONSTANTLY and in my own experience and opinion, has the usual non-functioning "call-us-back-at-thuis-number-to-have-your-number-removed" system.

I had a charity call come through while I was waiting for an emergency call back. There must be a way to get through to these damn charities that I don't want to donate. They too are using the computer telephones and this could cost someone their life. Maybe they should be thinking about that before the randomly call.

I completely agree that this is a total joke.   Half the calls I get are not from professional call centres.  Most are from cell phones for duct cleaning and other garbage, newspapers (like the Sun), and Charities.  I have charities I give to, I'm not out to save the world, so stop calling.  The newspapers never stop calling until you threaten police action using the callers and the managers name because they are harassing you.  They can't even track the other guys because according to Bell they don't exist.  

I have started answering my phone with "don't ever call here again"  for any 800, 866 or number I am sure is a telemarketer.  Until there is a law that prohibits this, there is nothing that can be done.

Duh, that's why they are offering this service.  If it cuts down 1/4 of the calls... YOU WIN.

It may not be as perfect as you would like.  You'll still have telemarketers pushing their limits to see what they can get away from, but it will drop the amount of calls signifcantly.

listen to this one. I am so frustrated with this new thing that shows on my phone bill this month.
10 calls have been dialed from my home phone number and that number is 970-267-3106 . and it shows as if I have made these calls. and the fact is I haven't dialed that number and I do not know that number and it does not exist; i searched online for that number and people are complaining that that number shows on their call display and it is a scam; how can I make a call to a number that doesn't exist... and it is charged to my phone bill...

I beg to differ, I received a call from:

Area Code  416 - TORONTO, CANADA

Area code  506 - NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA

I keep a whistle by the phone. I give one warning. The next time they call, "3-2-1" and I blow.

This service is a joke....Most calls are from the US and the computer generated centres......and where do you think most of these people get their lists?  You guessed it, MA BELL.
They've been known to sell off lists to companies....
When I was getting harassing fax calls....I used the Bell option that the caller of an unidentified number had to key in their number before it would be accepted.  That iliminated a lot of calls. THIS service should be offered to the people on the no call list!

My goodness people. No one HAS to use this service so stop bitching and moaning that it is a joke. It will help in the long run. You're right it will not stop the calls completely but it is to help. I am sure if it is spoken about on a government website then it is NOT a joke people. RELAX, STOP COMPLAINING, And just don't add yourself to this list. If these calls are so horrible to you all in your lives then DO NOT ANSWER NUMBERS YOU DO NOT KNOW. Maybe that is the best solution that most people just cant seem figure out for some reason. What is this world coming to !!!

I agree.  If you don't want to talk to telemarketers then don't answer the phone!  However, what I don't understand is that newpapers are still allowed to call and solicite subscriptions!!!  Why is that??!!  If the reasoning behind that is that's the only way to stay in business, what about other companies that use telemarketing as a way to generate business as well.  Where do you draw the line?  I run a telemarketing office and I stress the importance of leaving a great impression of our company with people.  We receive hundreds of compliments each week on how we treat people over the phone.  It's horrible for offices like mine that don't scam people out of money and treat people with respect.  The do not call list cuts our prospects by 75%!  (That's how the US DNC list effected us and I predict the same for the CA list as well)  I understand there are people out there that don't want to talk to us and they have the right to let us know and it is our responsiblility to make sure that we don't call them, but what about the majority of people on the do not call list that we could talk to but are on the list just out of ignorance.  People that haven't talked to many telemarketers but listen to the so called horror stories of what happened to their friends and are on the list out of fear.  Offices that are ran properly get the 'butt end of the stick' on this, we get screwed out of a lot of business just because so many other offices do such a horrible job marketing!  I employ a lot of college kids who can't work most jobs because of the hours, it's possible that your lawyer or the teacher of your kids may have worked in an office like mine and your saying that you think that they should have made a better decision with your life and not taken a horrible job like telemarekting.  That's just ignorance!  Everyone needs to make a living and pay for school some how, not everyone can just walk into an entry level job that will work with the hours you need because of college and pay well enough to allow you to pay for school and rent.