SHABAZ! Today marks the day the Do Not Call list finally arrives in the frozen tundra of Canada, after some time successfully in use by our American brethren. My history with telemarketers is long and storied, and involves many levels of hilarity and douchebaggery, depending how I felt at the time. I’ve been outright ornery when the time wasn’t right, but more amusing were the times I treated them to stories as to why I couldn’t engage in their services. Whether it was building a bomb in my basement or recovering from the sex change I’ve frequently had a perfectly acceptable reason why I couldn’t buy their fine product. I once cried on the phone to the cops who wanted me to buy circus tickets because a clown had killed my father and gotten away with it. Shortly thereafter I was tipped that telemarketers weren’t allowed to hang up on you.. big mistake. Now I would attempt to keep them on the phone as long as possible. I once told one of them that Survivor was on and they really should be watching it, then said I’d put the phone to the TV and we’d talk when it was over. I checked back in 15 minutes and they were gone. Foiled!
Then, I turned 30. And somewhere around age 30 I was no longer amused by random phone calls from people looking for Mr. or Mrs. Jaysoup. In fact, I wasn’t amused by the phone at all and stopped answering it. If I don’t recognize the name or number, it goes to the machine. If I check messages you have mere seconds to gain my attention or you get the 3-3-7. So you can imagine that today comes with internal fanfare as I prepare to enjoy life on the other side of a do not call list.
Here’s the official Government link: www.dncl.gc.ca. At press time here it’s already unavailable, evidence that I’m far from the only Canadian who doesn’t want to be called. If you’re one of those rare birds that doesn’t trust the Government there’s Michael Geist’s www.ioptout.ca, promising a wider-ranging blanket, and some key advice, to get around a few of the exemptions.
Ah, yes.. exemptions. Our Government saw fit to offer a few of them, meaning that after you register on the Government’s website you will still receive calls from: registered charities, businesses with prior business relationships, political parties, survey companies, and newspapers. The good news? Each company is still required to have an internal Do Not Call list, one which they must add you to on request and provide a confirmation code. If they continue to call you afterwards, you can complain and they’re subject to stiff fines or the removal of their telephone lines. So should you receive a call from a company simply state you wish to be added to their Do Not Call list, and demand a confirmation code. The Toronto Star is the only company I’ve spoken with that refused to do this, and I threatened a phone call to the CRTC if I received another call from them. I haven’t received one.
So, while not perfect, it’s a new dawn for the privacy-enjoying Canadian. Assuming, that is, these sites go back up. Enjoy!
Today’s Random Links
Trafalgar Brewery is once again allowing you to “Vote With Your Throat”.
Kuku Klock, the free Swiss-made online alarm clock!
Franken Berry flavoured Fruit By the Foot!
Today’s Returning Shows
Rick Mercer Report (CBC, 8 p.m.)
Now Playing
FAN590 Live Stream