Canada
Telemarketing compliance for outbound calls in Canada — DNCL, existing business relationships, ADAD consent, and what Octocom handles.
This page covers what you need to know for outbound marketing calls in Canada. The system has useful exemptions for existing customers, but automated calls (ADAD) have their own consent requirements.
We'll help you get this right
These are recommendations based on CRTC and National DNCL rules. We're happy to review your setup.
The National DNCL
Register with the National Do Not Call List even for many exempt campaigns. For non-exempt campaigns, subscribe and scrub your lists for the relevant area codes.
Existing Business Relationship (EBR) exemptions
You can call DNCL numbers without separate consent if you have an existing business relationship:
| Relationship type | Window |
|---|---|
| Purchase, lease, or rental | Last 18 months |
| Written contract in effect or expired | Last 18 months |
| Inquiry or application | Last 6 months |
Or if you have express consent to call.
These exemptions help with live calls. But there's a catch for automated calls...
ADAD (automated dialling) requires express consent
For ADAD calls — robocalls, AI calls, or even putting someone on hold until an agent is available — you need express consent for that specific number. EBR exemptions don't cover ADAD.
For Octocom AI outbound in Canada, plan on collecting express consent for automated calls.
Your setup checklist
-
Register with the National DNCL. Required even for many exempt campaigns.
-
Map your use case to EBR or express consent. Recent purchasers may fit the 18-month window for live calls. AI/ADAD calls need express consent regardless.
-
Maintain your internal DNC list. Add opt-outs within 14 days. Keep records for 3 years.
-
Respect calling hours. Weekdays 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., weekends 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the recipient's local time.
-
Identify yourself. Open every call with your organisation name and purpose.
-
Keep records. Consent forms, scrub logs, call logs.
What Octocom handles
| Control | What we do |
|---|---|
| Opt-outs | Suppression within required timeframe |
| Calling hours | Configurable to Canadian requirements |
| Caller ID | Real, accurate caller ID |
| Scripts | Fully configurable |
| Records | Call attempts, outcomes, opt-out events |
AI disclosure
There's no finalised CRTC rule requiring "I am an AI" as a specific script element. CRTC has been reviewing AI/automated calling rules — this may evolve. For now, identify your organisation and purpose clearly.
Official sources
Summary
- Register with the National DNCL
- Use EBR exemptions for live calls to recent customers
- For AI/ADAD calls, get express consent
- Maintain internal DNC — add within 14 days, keep 3 years
- Respect calling hours and always identify yourself
We're happy to help you configure this for the Canadian market.