You really have two realistic options. Your number is on a list of valid numbers that they sell to each other. The Canadian no call list is a total failure so that is not going to help.
Option 1)--put the disconnect triple tone (Google it) as the first thing on you answering machine. The auto dialer will here it and automatically remove your number from the list (the device thinks your number has been disconnected and is no longer valid). This will be the most effective solution, it works so well that I have had my bank send me a letter asking for my new phone number (because their auto dialer removed my number).
Option 2)--if you do answer (and actually get someone) try to keep them on the line as long as possible. Long duration negative outcomes cost them money, they will drop your number.
Although swearing at them or Seinfeld like approaches may make you feel good for 30 seconds it will not stop a follow-up call (they could care less about short duration negative outcomes). I have torn a new one to an telemarketer just to have the same one a week later, number was not removed. Even worse the call may never actually end up with someone to yell at (auto dialer hangs up because there is no operator free or it is just a recording), they WILL call back again.
Option 2 will not work at all. I used to work as a telemarketer in high school and trust me, they don't care if the call gets nowhere... If the telemarketer does get annoyed, they will just hang up and you'll receive a call from them the following week. The ONLY thing you can do is ask them politely to remove you from their list (This would mean this particular company) and if the person isn't a ******, they will (also its the law, but not like the telemarketer cares-the only person that is effected is the owner of the company).
The DNC (Do not call) list that the CRTC provides you is a complete failure as you stated. People reported that they actually received more calls after registering for that list as the law of not being able to call those numbers on that list only applies to Canadian telemarketing companies (People outside of Canada are able to call you legally).
Screaming and swearing at them only works sometimes on the newbies that get scared, the rest of the "telemarketing veterans" actually use that as a sort of entertainment as it is a very boring job...
I've never heard of Option 1 but it sounds like it might work.
There is really no other option (unless this option 1 works) to stop the telemarketing calls. Even I myself have received countless calls from the stupid cruise thing and 'get out of debt' crap.
BTW, people have paid to get their number "privated" (I don't mean blocking your number from being sent) and it doesn't work. By privating their number, their number is not even listed on Canada411 or the phone book yet the numbers still get out. Its because either Bell/Rogers sells their phone list (the way most telemarketing companies get their lists), auto dialers, or phone lists being stolen.
-I just realized I worked 2 pretty crappy jobs in high school (Telemarketing and Rogers Sales Rep)
