National do-not-call system goes into effect Tuesday

OTTAWA – Canadians fed up with unsolicited telemarketers will be able to register Tuesday on a national do-not-call list established by Canada's telecommunications regulator and operated by Bell Canada.

Residents can register their home and cellphone numbers to block unwanted telemarketers by phone or online with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The CRTC says calls will not stop immediately after registration, as telemarketers have 31 days to update their own no-call lists.

Exceptions to the list include calls from charities, political parties, polling companies, newspapers selling subscriptions and organizations with which the consumer has an existing business relationship.

The CRTC first broached the subject of a national do not call list in 2004 to complement the current regulations requiring telemarketers to keep individual, company-specific lists.

The regulator set out rules for the list in July, 2007, and awarded Bell Canada a five-year contract to operate the list.

The telemarketing industry has been critical of the list, specifically the online registration. The concern is that hackers will be able to upload entire phone books to the list.

To register call 1-866-580-3625.