National Do Not Call List

In 2008, a National Do Not Call List (National DNCL) was launched in Canada, which allows people to register their phone numbers for free to reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive. Most organizations wishing to contact individuals by telephone, have to first remove any names that appear on the National DNCL.
Registered charities are exempt from these rules. If they make telemarketing calls, however, or hire others to make the calls on their behalf, they must register with the National DNCL and maintain their own internal do-not-call list.

All nonprofit organizations that are not registered charities must abide by the National Do Not Call List’s rules.

Background and History

In 2009, the Federal Government rejected appeals by CCVO, Imagine Canada, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) to overturn or reconsider the CRTC’s decision to include charities in financing and complying in part with the National DNCL. Under the decision, charities are required to establish and pay for their own internal do-not-call list, and register with and pay for the National DNCL, from which they are exempt. While there are no fees to register at this time, they may be put in place in the future.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) reports that the experience of U.S. charities with the American do-not-call list is that charities must be sensitive to the public's desire for privacy. AFP President and CEO Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, notes that “Canadian charities must be prepared to educate the public and their donors about the list and what they already do to protect privacy. Simply ignoring the list and donor expectations is not the way to go.”