Private Right Of Action Under CASL Coming July 2017

Canada's Anti-Spam Law came into force on July 1, 2014.  Since then, all eyes have been on the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for decisions concerning CASL violations.  In the cases made public to date, monetary penalties or settlement payments have ranged from $48,000 to $1.1 million.  Canadian and foreign companies have learned some things in the past two years about how CASL applies to their business, and many have taken steps to put in place policies and procedures to avoid violations.

Whatever steps you have taken to date, 2017 will be the time to revisit CASL compliance. 

On July 1, 2017, the private right of action (PRA) comes into force under CASL.  An individual or organization who is affected by a contravention may litigate to enforce the new private rights directly.  While CASL does not expressly provide for class actions, it is broadly expected that such actions will be launched to permit large numbers of applicants