July 1, 2017 is not only Canada's 150th birthday
-- it is also marks three years since Canada's Anti-Spam
Legislation (CASL) has been in force. While Canadian businesses are
unlikely to celebrate the latter anniversary with barbecues and
fireworks, July 1 will signify an important change in the way that
CASL will apply.
Unfortunately, there seems to be some confusion about what the
approaching deadline really means for marketers. From a CASL
perspective, July 1 is important for 3 reasons:
Private right of action
Let's start with what it doesn't mean: July 1 will no
longer mark the coming into force of the private right of action
contained in the law. This provision would have allowed civil suits
to be filed against individuals and organizations for alleged
violations of the law. In addition to suing for actual damages, the
provision also would have allowed plaintiffs to claim statutory
damages (which need not be proved) of up to $200 – including
for receipt of a
