Compliance and enforcement processes: Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation

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Receiving an enforcement action from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for possibly violating Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) can be a concerning experience. CASL aims at protecting Canadians from the harmful effects of spam and related threats and creating a safer and more secure online marketplace.

If you are facing an enforcement action from the CRTC due to a suspected violation of CASL, it is important to know you have options. This page provides information on what to do if you receive an enforcement action from the CRTC, including how to respond, timelines and who to contact.

On this page

Notice of violation

Notices of violations are formal enforcement actions from the CRTC’s investigation staff (also known as the designated person) issued to persons found to have allegedly committed a violation. A notice of violation is typically accompanied with an administrative monetary penalty (AMP or penalty) based on the severity, number of alleged violations and a variety of other relevant factors.

Why you received this demand

The investigation staff believes that you have committed violations under sections 6 to 9 of CASL.

 Important timelines

The person that receives the notice of violation typically has 30 days to pay the penalty or submit representations to the CRTC for a review. Refer to the notice of violation to confirm the deadline.

How to respond

If you agree with the notice of violation

If you disagree with the notice of violation

If you choose not to pay the penalty, and do not respond to the notice of violation

Things to keep in mind when requesting a CRTC review

For additional information, refer to Information Bulletin 2023-368, (see section Procedural guidelines starting at paragraph 73).

Preservation demand

Preservation demands are formal requests, typically addressed to telecommunications service providers (TSPs), to save transmission data.

Why you received this demand

The investigation staff (also known as the designated person) believes that you may have come into possession of information it believes is relevant to an ongoing investigation. Investigations are conducted to ensure compliance with CASL and to determine if there are possible violations of sections 6 to 9 of CASL.

 Important timelines

The transmission data normally needs to be saved for a period of up to 21 days. An additional 21 days can be requested from investigation staff. The specific dates can be found in the demand.

How to respond

If you agree with the preservation demand

If you disagree with the preservation demand

Things to keep in mind when requesting a CRTC review

For additional information, refer to paragraphs 17 to 21 and paragraphs 82 to 100 of Information Bulletin 2023-368.

Notice to Produce

This is a formal request from the investigation staff (also known as the designated person) to provide documentation you might have in your possession. The notice can be sent to any person the investigation staff believes has relevant information that would be helpful to their investigation.

Why you received this notice

The investigation staff believes that you are in possession of information it believes is relevant to an ongoing investigation. Investigations are conducted to ensure there is compliance with CASL and to determine if there are possible violations of sections 6 to 9 of CASL.

 Important timelines

The person that receives the notice to produce typically has 30 days to respond. Refer to the notice to produce to confirm the deadline.

How to respond

If you agree with the notice to produce

If you disagree with the notice to produce

Things to keep in mind when requesting a CRTC review

For additional information, refer to paragraphs 22 to 27 and paragraphs 101 to 118 of Information Bulletin 2023-368.

Warning letter

Warning letters are an alternative enforcement measure used by the investigation staff (also known as the designated person) to ensure compliance with CASL. They can be addressed to any person the investigation staff believes to be in possible violation of CASL.

Why you received this letter

The investigation staff believes that you are in possible violation of CASL, but the severity, number of violations or a variety of other factors do not warrant a stronger enforcement measure.

 Important timelines

You should implement the corrective measures proposed in the letter to resolve the problem and prevent further violations as soon as possible.

How to respond

There are no obligations to respond to a warning letter, and there is no formal review mechanism for warning letters. However, you should implement the corrective measures proposed in the letter.

Things to keep in mind regarding warning letters

For additional information, refer to paragraphs 57 to 59 of Information Bulletin 2023-368.

Undertakings

An undertaking is a voluntary, negotiated agreement, which aims at addressing a compliance issue or allegations of non-compliance.

Why you received this undertaking

The investigation staff (also known as the designated person) believes that you committed a violation (or violations) of CASL and would like to resolve the situation through a negotiated agreement.

 Important timelines

Failure to show clear willingness to negotiate or failure to meet the negotiation deadlines, will generally lead investigation staff to terminate the negotiations and select an alternative compliance solution (i.e., typically a notice of violation).

How to respond

If you agree to hold the settlement discussion, a draft undertaking will be prepared by investigation staff.

If the settlement offer is accepted

If the settlement offer is refused

Things to keep in mind regarding undertakings

For additional information, refer to paragraphs 44 to 48 of Information Bulletin 2023-368.

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