CASL: Canada's Anti-Spam Law

Owned by Luc Richard
Last updated: Oct 17, 2024 by Frederick Harju
2 min read

Canada's Anti-Spam Law (CASL), which took effect on July 1, 2014, requires organizations that send commercial electronic messages (CEMs) to meet strict compliance standards. These messages, often commercial in nature such as emails, require organizations to manage users' consent to receive them and provide an easy way for users to unsubscribe from further communications.

In our learning environment, compliance with CASL guidelines is not limited to just CEMs. It also applies to messages that are deemed optional, such as notifications or reminders that are not mandatory or critical for the user’s participation or learning. This ensures that users have control over optional communications they receive from our system, even if they are not considered CEMs.

To meet CASL's requirements, there are three key components when sending a CEM to an electronic address:

  1. Consent – The organization must have explicit or implied consent from the user to send them messages.

  2. Identification Information – The message must clearly identify the sender.

  3. Unsubscribe Mechanism – The message must include an easy way for recipients to opt-out of receiving future communications.

To help organizations comply with these rules, our learning environment automatically embeds in the footer of each email:

  • Identification Information: This includes details about Dual Code and the organization on whose behalf the message is sent (e.g., your organization).

  • Unsubscribe Link: A simple and clear link is provided to allow recipients to easily opt-out from receiving that type of optional message or CEM.

This setup ensures compliance with CASL while giving users the control and transparency they deserve over their communications.

Below is a sample footer added to an email when the email is not deemed to be a CEM and is locked, meaning that the user cannot unsubscribe from the email given its importance.

This message was sent to you from the My Dual Code learning environment (https://my.dualcode.com). This learning environment is part of the OCIâ„¢ Network, a network that enables collaboration between healthcare organizations, and is powered by Dual Code Inc. located at 300 March Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

On the other hand, below is a sample footer added to an email when the email could potential be considered a CEM, or the email is not locked.

This message was sent to you from the My Dual Code learning environment (https://my.dualcode.com). This learning environment is part of the OCIâ„¢ Network, a network that enables collaboration between healthcare organizations, and is powered by Dual Code Inc. located at 300 March Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

To opt out of this type of message, click here.