The CRTC has launched an online survey asking Canadians about the sales practices of large telecommunications service providers, like Bell, Rogers and Telus. Canadians have until Sept. 7 to participate in the survey which is part of the CRTC’s consultation leading up to a report to government on whether misleading or aggressive retail sales practices are being used by large telecommunications service providers, their impact on consumers, and potential solutions to strengthen consumer protections. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains ordered the CRTC to investigate in June after media reports and direct complaints about misleading sales tactics. In addition to the survey, Canadians can submit an intervention until Aug. 30. Current or former sales or customer service representatives of the service providers and other stakeholders like public interest organizations or research groups are also invited to comment. Read more here.
Esther Enkin
CBC ombudsman Esther Enkin says there was no violation of policy following failure to identify a medic killed in the Gaza-Israel border conflict as a member of Hamas. The complainant, Mike Fegelman, executive director of HonestReporting Canada, wanted CBC News to add the information to the May 15 story. Musa Abuhassanin was mentioned in the context of a story about a Canadian physician he helped during a protest. Abuhassanin was shot and killed later that day. Enkin says the medic’s affiliation was not essential to the understanding of the story. As well, at the time of the publication, CBC News staff were not aware of his Hamas affiliation.
WideOrbit is being sued by a former sales executive for age discrimination. Jon P. Crossland, who was with the San Francisco-based software company for 13 years, has filed the suit in Superior Court in Washington state seeking lost pay and benefits, as well as damages for emotional distress. Crossland, who helped develop WideOrbit’s Radio division as director of sales, has retained employment litigator Judith A. Lonnquist. Prior to joining WideOrbit, Crossland worked for 12 years in sales management at CBSI and Wicks Broadcast Solutions, and before that held various radio station management roles including sales manager of the Entercom stations in Seattle.
Newcap Radio and Bell Media are coming together to host the Fredericton Strong Benefit Concert on Oct. 6, following tragic events earlier this month that left four people dead including two police officers. The all-star lineup will feature acts spanning rock, pop and country from coast-to-coast, but also shine a spotlight on East Coast talent, including Matt Mays, Matt Andersen & The Mellotones, Classified, Neon Dreams, and Tristan Horncastle. Singer/songwriter David Myles, who hails from Fredericton, will act as host and MC, in addition to support from in-market talent from Bell and Newcap stations. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to three key support services who helped those impacted immediately following the Aug. 10 shooting deaths – The Canadian Red Cross in New Brunswick, The Chalmers Foundation and The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick. Read more here.
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