Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation - Carters Professional Corporation - Barristers, Solicitors and Trade-Mark Agents

Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)

Bill C-28, commonly referred to as “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation” (CASL), that would impact how charities and non-profit organizations communicate with their donors, volunteers and members, received Royal Assent on December 14, 2010. On July 1, 2014, certain portions of CASL will come into force. CASL prohibits the sending of a commercial electronic message (“CEM”). A CEM is one in which it is reasonable to conclude it has as its purpose, or one of its purposes, to encourage participation in a “commercial activity.” As such, charities and non-profit organizations should be reviewing electronic messages they send to verify if they are CEMs, if they are exempt, and if they are not, whether the organization has consent and if the CEM complies with the content requirements of the legislation. We can help charities and not-for-profit organizations familiarize themselves with CASL in order for them to avoid running afoul of the new legislation.