It has happened. After much processing, a few fallen governments, and about a trillion spam messages, Canada has passed its own anti-spam bill.

And it’s about #*&%ing time.

Formerly Bill C-27, the Electronic Commerce Protection Act, the new C-28 Fighting Internet (and wireless) Spam Act (FISA), was passed on December 15th, and established requirements for consent, identification, and unsubscribe methods.

Unlike CAN SPAM, FISA applies to much more than just email. SMS, instant messagingand even Social Networks all get covered, and it includes protections and legal avenues against phishers, spyware, and malware.

Unlike CAN SPAM, enforcement also falls into the hands of more than just regulatory bodies. While fines of $1 million per infringement for individuals and $10 million per infringement for organization can be handed out by the CRTC, Competition Bureau, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, FISA also includes provisions for private right of action, allowing individuals to seek damages in court resulting from a violation of the law.

Yes, now you can sue spammers.

The law includes the standard CAN SPAMish clauses, such as that unsubscribes must honored within 10 days, and all sent messages must include:

  • company name
  • company contact info
  • easy method of contacting sender
  • unsubscribe mechanism

There are three oddities, though, and it will be interesting to watch how the courts interpret them:

Even if they do not have permission, companies may email you if:

there is an existing business relationship or non-business relationship between the sender and recipient

the recipient has published their address in a “conspicious” manner and the message is related to the recipients professional capacity

The recipient has directly provided their address to the sender

Now, does this mean that your dentist can send you his marketing newsletter without permission? Or that, since my email address is published online in a number of profiles, I can now be added freely to every internet marketing newsletter? I don’t know.

Anyway, it’s great to see that Canada has finally gotten its act together and created a law to defend people against spammers. Provisions that extend it to IM, SMS and social networks are just icing on the cake.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Cardinal Path hosted a live session to connect with you and answer all your questions on Google Analytics.
Get all the expertise and none of the consultancy fees in this not-to-be-missed, rapid-fire virtual event.

Thank you for submitting the form.

Thank you for submitting the form.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you.

Click here to download access the tool.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you.

Message Sent

Thank you.

Message Sent

Thank you

Message Sent

Thank you

Message Sent

Thank you.

Message Sent

Thank you

Message Sent

Thank you.

Message Sent

Success!
Your message was received.

Thank you.

Thank you for registering.

Cardinal Path is continuing with its series of free training. Next we are conducting training on Google Data Studio. Check it out here.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Thank you for your submission.

Your request has been submitted and a rep will reach out to you shortly.

Message Sent

Thank you for your interest.

Thank you for registering.

You should receive a confirmation email from GoToWebinar with your unique webinar login information. If you do not receive this email or have trouble logging in to the event, please email asmaa.mourad@cardinalpath.com.

Thank you for subscribing!

You're now looped into the world's largest GMP resource hub!

Thank you for your submission.

Thank you for your submission.

Thank you for your submission.

Thank you for your submission.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for your submission.

Thank you for your submission.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Thank you for registering.​

Paid media spend by Government websites increased a whopping 139% YoY in 2020.

2020 Online Behavior Live Dashboard

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

2020 Online Behavior Live Dashboard

Thank you for your submission.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Thank you for registering.

Message Sent

Success! Thank you
for reaching out.