In November 2005, the Federal Government enacted new legislation that created a national 'do-not-call' list in Canada. The list will be administered by the Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and will be launched by September 30, 2008.

Under the new legislation, citizens can add their names for free to the Do Not Call List. Organizations wishing to contact individuals by telephone will have to first remove any names that appear on the national do-not-call list.

Registered charities are exempt from these rules, along with political parties, polling firms when they are not selling a product or services, and a limited number of other types of organizations. However, registered charities that make telephone solicitation calls have to keep their own do not call lists.

All nonprofit organizations that are not registered charities will be subject to the new rules.

Further information on the National Do Not Call List is available on the CRTC website.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) reports that the experience of U.S. charities with the American do-not-call list indicate 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.”