(May 30, 2005) – The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority is proposing a fee schedule for telemarketers. Effective October 1, 2005, all telemarketers operating in British Columbia, or telemarketers who contact consumers in British Columbia for the purpose of entering into a contract over the phone or by fax, or undertaking third party fund raising, will require licences.

The Authority assumed responsibility for the oversight of business practices and consumer protection in British Columbia on July 4, 2004. The Authority is a not-for-profit organization which operates at arm's length from government. It has been delegated the authority to set fees for the
industries it regulates. The fees are set to achieve full cost-recovery.

Consultation on the proposed fee schedule was initiated at the May 19, 2005 meeting of the Telemarketing Advisory Group, a group comprised of key industry and consumer representatives. The group reviewed proposed fee options and provided valuable feedback to the Authority,
resulting in changes to the proposed fee structure. For information on the advisory group, please visit http://www.bpcpa.ca/advisory-groups/telemarketers/advisory-telemarketers.htm.

The proposed schedule is being posted to obtain input from all interested parties. Please provide your input to Tom Aquiline, Deputy Director, Industry Relations, BPCPA, by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax at 604 320-1663 by Friday, June 17 2005.

For more information about the licensing of telemarketers, please view the Frequently AskedQuestions (FAQs) on the Telemarketer Licensing Regulation.

Download a copy of the proposed fee schedule for telemarketers.