For immediate release
February 20, 2007

 ADVERTISING STANDARDS CANADA RELEASES 2006 AD COMPLAINTS REPORT

 TORONTO, February 20, 2007 -- Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) today released its 2006 Ad Complaints Report. The Report provides information about consumers’ complaints submitted to ASC in 2006 for review under the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (Code).

2006 Highlights:
• ASC received 1,040 complaints from consumers about 723 advertisements
• 95 complaints, concerning 40 advertisements, were determined to contravene the Code by the independent volunteer Consumer Response Councils (Councils)
• The retail advertising category garnered the highest number of complaints (137), followed by automobile advertising with 104 complaints

“Consumers are increasingly citing concerns about automobile advertisements that they allege encourage unsafe driving behaviour – particularly among young, less experienced drivers,” noted Janet Feasby, Vice President, Standards. “We are also receiving complaints about the category in general. In these, consumers share their perceptions that the depiction of high-speed and overly aggressive driving in car advertising is becoming more prevalent,” added Danielle Lefrançois, Communications Manager (French Canada).

The 2006 Ad Complaints Report, as well as case summaries of consumers’ complaints upheld by the independent Consumer Response Councils, is available on ASC’s website (www.adstandards.com).

Advertising Standards Canada is the advertising industry self-regulatory body. ASC administers the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, the principal instrument of advertising self-regulation in Canada, and accepts complaints from consumers about advertising. ASC’s members include leading Canadian advertisers, advertising agencies, and media organizations.

For more information, contact:

Janet Feasby
Vice President, Standards
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: (416) 961-6311, ext. 243
janet.feasby@adstandards.com

Danielle Lefrançois
Communications Manager
Montreal, Quebec
Tel: (514) 931-8060, ext. 27
danielle.lefrancois@normespub.com