A CRTC logo is shown in Montreal on September 10, 2012. The sales practices of Canada’s largest telecommunications companies _ a long-time sore spot for many consumers _ will be the subject of a public inquiry ordered by the federal government on Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A federal regulator is inviting consumers as well as current and former employees of Canada's telecommunications companies to come forward with their personal experience with misleading or abusive sales practices.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says it will hold a public hearing on the matter in Gatineau, Que., beginning Oct. 22.
The CRTC is also inviting written comment from consumers, employees and former employees by Aug. 30.
It says the inquiry will look closely at incomplete, unclear or misleading information provided to consumers as well as aggressive sales practices such as selling unsuitable products to ill-informed people.
In particular, the regulator said it wants to hear from consumers who are vulnerable due to their age, a disability, or a language barrier.
The public inquiry was set in motion by a federal cabinet order last month, which instructed the CRTC to submit its report on telecommunications sales practices by Feb. 28.
