Direct marketing through the phone is a legitimate and effective way for many types of businesses and fundraisers to maintain and build relationships with existing and prospective customers and donors.

Telemarketing can include live calls with agents or recorded sales pitches programmed to be played over the phone via automatic dialing. In British Columbia, telemarketing is subject to regulatory and legislative controls related to consumer privacy and protection. BC’s Telemarketer Licensing Regulation came into effect in October 2005 and only applies to certain telemarketers.

Not all telemarketers are required to be licensed in BC. Those telemarketers who conduct business in BC or who contact consumers in BC by telephone or fax for the purpose of entering into a distance sales contract are required to be licensed.  As well, all telemarketers who initiate contact with consumers for the purpose of soliciting a consumer, on behalf or for the benefit of another supplier, for a contribution of money or other property by the consumer (i.e. third-party fund raisers) are subject to the Telemarketing Licensing Regulation.

Exemptions from licensing include charities who call or fax consumers directly and may include educational institutions, political organizations, and firms conducting surveys.

If you are a licensed business or a business wishing to become licensed in the province of BC, you can find information about application requirements and procedures in the Help For Businesses section (the green tab) of this website.