TORONTO - More than six in 10 Canadians say they will try to stop unwanted calls from telemarketers by signing up for Canada's pending do-not-call registry, a new poll shows.
About 44 per cent of Canadian are aware of the legislation expected in the fall of 2008, and 63 per cent say they will "definitely'' register, says the survey from VoxPop, a campaign by the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association, which represents Canada's survey research industry.
The poll also showed 61 per cent of respondents believe the registry will be effective at stemming unwanted calls, even with the exemptions granted to such groups as registered charities and survey researchers.
"This survey strongly suggests Canada's do-not-call registry for telemarketing will be greeted with overwhelming support,'' said Brendan Wycks, executive director of MRIA
"Such high awareness and support so early indicates Canadians will rush to sign on when the registry is introduced. The (registry) promises to be a major advance in protecting Canadians from unwanted telemarketing calls.''
People in Ontario were the most aware among Canadians surveyed about the pending legislation, followed by British Columbians and Albertans.
Quebec's citizens were the least aware, but were also the most skeptical, according to the survey, which showed the most support came from Ontario.
The telephone survey was conducted in August by a group of independent research agencies, including Bristol Omnifacts, Corporate Research Associates and Blue Ocean Contact Centers, Research House, Consumer Contact and Justason Market Intelligence. It used a random sample of 1,531 adults across Canada and is considered accurate within 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
VoxPop said more than 145.5 million American households have signed on to that country's do-not-call registry since 2003.
"If Canadians register with the same enthusiasm and the survey strongly suggests they will about nine million Canadian residential phone numbers will be off-limits to telemarketers by 2011,'' VoxPop said in a release.
Canada's proposed registry will require telemarketers to check the registry at regular intervals. If they call a registered household and a complaint is filed, the fine is expected to be $1,500 for individuals and $15,000 for companies.
