Canada Scientology Drug Rehab Mass Marketing Fraud – January 22, order 2013
A formal complaint was filed with the Canadian federal government against another Scientology drug rehab in Alberta — owned and operated by Peggy Smith. The 210-page document sent to the Canada Competition Bureau alleges mass marketing fraud, ed deceptive marketing practices, case and conspiracy to commit fraud. The Calgary Narconon, a 4-6 bed drug rehab located in a modest home, is the last Narconon left in Canada.
“The Competition Act contains provisions addressing false or misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices in promoting the supply or use of a product or any business interest. All representations, in any form whatever, that are false or misleading in a material respect are subject to the Act. If a representation could influence a consumer to buy or use the product or service advertised, it is material. To determine whether a representation is false or misleading, the courts consider the ’general impression’ it conveys, as well as its literal meaning.”
Under civil, the court may order a person to cease the activity, publish a notice and/or pay an administrative monetary penalty. On first occurrence, individuals are liable to penalties of up to $750,000 and corporations are liable to penalties of up to $10,000,000.
In 2012, Narconon in Quebec was ordered to cease advertising such deceptive success rates and remove all such promotions from their websites.
Following a lengthy investigation, the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social services shut down the 100 bed Scientology drug rehab and the Human Rights Commission is still investigating and pressing forward with numerous complaints for exploitation and discrimination.
On August 27, 2012, a similar complaint was filed with the Oklahoma City FBI, alleging “Telemarketing Fraud – False & Misleading Representations – Online Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Fraud by Online Scams” against Narconon Arrowhead, Narconon International, and the Church of Scientology.
Narconon Alberta may soon be facing additional investigation from the Alberta College of Physicians concerning the unsafe and sometimes deadly practices at their pseudoscientific drug rehab.
David Edgar Love