Telemarketing and Unwanted Calls
If you live in Canada, you can choose to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive by registering your residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone number on the National DNCL. If your telephone number is not linked to a business line, then you are considered to be a consumer for the purposes of the National DNCL.
If you’re a telemarketer, you have to abide by the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (UTR), register with and pay to use the DNCL.
Consumer Topics
Register with the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) External link
If you want to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive, you may register your residential, wireless, fax, or VoIP telephone number(s) on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL).
Who Can Still Call You
Read more about which telemarketing calls and faxes are exempt from the DNCL rules.
What You Should Know
How your complaints help the CRTC bring National DNCL violators into compliance and more.
Phone Calls from Political Parties
Regardless of whether you are registered with the National Do Not Call List (DNCL), you may still receive calls from political parties and candidates.
Make a Complaint External link
Telemarketing complaints must be submitted to the National DNCL online or by phone at 1-866-580-DNCL (3625). Make sure you have registered with the National DNCL first and know who can still call you.
Ways to Protect Yourself
Block or Filter Unwanted Calls
Your phone carrier may provide options to help stop unwanted calls from ever reaching you. See which options might be available to you.
Recognize Scammers and What to Do if You Fall Victim to a Scam
Prevent yourself from being a victim of scammers, how to recognize scams, what to do if you think you’ve been scammed, and other tips on protecting yourself against scammers.
Avoid 900 or 976 Call Fraud
Learn about 900 and 976 pay-per-call rules and consumer safeguards.
Caller ID Spoofing
What is caller ID spoofing, is it illegal and how to protect yourself against it.
Telemarketer Topics
Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (UTR)
Read the amalgamation of Telecom Decision 2007-48 and subsequent telemarketing-related decisions. There are additional rules for:
Twitter Chat: How to play by the telemarketing rules
Canada Business Network hosted a Twitter chat with the CRTC on telemarketing rules for small and medium businesses and telemarketers.
Understand Telemarketing Rules for Compliance
Are you a regular or exempt telemarketer? Read more about your responsibilities as a telemarketer.
Register with the DNCL Lien externe
Register your organization with the National DNCL.
DNCL Subscription Fees and Standardized File Formats
Learn more about paying for DNCL subscription fees and downloading standardized file formats.
Voter Contact Registry
Learn more about the registration requirements, see the registration notices, and how to contact Canadians the right way.
What we are doing
Reports
News
- CRTC and UK Agency to Fight Spam and Unwanted Telemarketing Calls
August 3, 2017 - CRTC signs agreement with U.S. regulator to combat robocalls and spoofing
Nov 17, 2016 - CRTC asks telephone service providers to empower Canadians against nuisance calls
Nov 7, 2016
Summary of news release
To ensure that all Canadians have a base level of protection against the most illegitimate nuisance calls, the CRTC issued a decision directing telecommunications service providers to develop solutions to block nuisance calls within their networks. Service providers must also report back to the CRTC, within 180 days, from the date of this decision, with details of the filtering services they offer, or intend to offer, to their subscribers.
Decisions and Memorandums of Understanding
- Decision 2016-442: Empowering Canadians to protect themselves from unwanted and illegitimate telecommunications
- Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Federal Communications Commission and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Mutual Assistance in the Enforcement of Laws on Automated Telephone Calls and Inaccurate Caller Identification
- Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Federal Trade Commission and the CRTC on mutual assistance in the Enforcement of Laws on commercial email and telemarketing
- Date modified: