Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: Final Regulations Mark Countdown To Coming Into Force

The guessing game is over.  Three years after it was enacted, we now know that Canada's anti-spam law (CASL) will come into force in stages over the next four years, beginning on July 1, 2014.

The Department of Industry announced the following key dates when it published long-awaited Governor in Council regulations on December 4, 2013:

• July 1, 2014 – Most of CASL and the final Regulations come into force
• January 15, 2015 – Provisions of CASL related to the installation of computer programs come into force
• July 1, 2017 – Provisions of CASL related to a private right of action will come into force

Those who have been following the progress of the legislation will be relieved to learn that Industry Canada has made a number of important changes that address some of the concerns raised by industry since the draft regulations were published last January.  Examples are expanding the exemption for business-to-business communications and adding new exemptions