Mr. Speaker, Motions Nos. 4, 5 and 7 would effectively add the Internet communications, even where they were not interactive, to the ambit of the provisions covering deceptive telemarketing. The Internet issue was raised and dealt with by the committee, which accepted Bill C-20 wording. The telemarketing provisions are designed to focus on the use of abusive, high-pressure tactics during interactive telephone communications where the victims are vulnerable and have little time to reflect on the proposal.
The member for Broadview—Greenwood has expressed many times in the House the concern about the high-pressure tactics that are used on senior citizens, and we heard that again this morning. These particular problems do not apply to the Internet and for that reason, it is not appropriate to include the Internet in section 52.1.
Representations made over the Internet and by means of electronic commerce are subject to the same laws as other representations and would be covered under the Criminal Code and section 52 and the proposed section 74.01 of the Competition Act.
In fact, the Competition Bureau has already had some success in relation to pursuing Internet situations under section 52. We believe that the Internet issues are most effectively dealt with by the co-operative enforcement initiatives at the international level. These are being actively pursued.
It is too soon to tell what competition problems may arise in relation to the Internet. This situation will be kept under review for further amendments as and when necessary. This discussion was held at the industry committee.
Motion No. 8 would remove the possibility for legitimate telemarketers to streamline their business by providing all the necessary information concerning their product to the customer by some other means, for example by direct mail or in a catalogue prior to the telephone call. Customers may also appreciate or even prefer the savings on their time if the required information is provided in some written form ahead of time.
I have difficulty supporting this motion. The existing disclosure requirements in Bill C-20 are tailored to elicit a reasonable level of disclosure while balancing the burden to be placed on legitimate telemarketers. I must emphasize that we do have legitimate telemarketers.
This proposal does not benefit consumers significantly if at all, but could significantly increase the burden on business. It is for that reason we speak against the motion.