# CASL Basics for Community Organization Email Lists > A plain-language guide to Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation: what consent your community organization needs, what every email must include, and how to keep records. Published: 2026-02-10 Updated: 2026-09-04 Author: Julian (OpenCommunity Team) ## Key takeaways - CASL applies to most bulk email community organizations send, and charity status does not automatically exempt every message. - Collect express consent with an unchecked box, and record how and when you got it. - Every commercial message needs your identity, contact details, and a working unsubscribe link. ## Why CASL matters for your lists Your organization probably sends more email than you realize: program reminders, newsletters, event invitations, volunteer call-outs, and funding updates. Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, usually shortened to **CASL**, sets rules for the commercial electronic messages you send. It applies broadly, and the way it treats charities and nonprofits is more nuanced than a simple exemption, so the basics are worth knowing. Getting consent right is not only about avoiding penalties. It is part of treating participants with respect: people should know why you have their email address and be able to stop hearing from you easily. When you [explain data collection to participants](https://opencommunity.ca/blog/how-to-explain-data-collection-to-participants/index.md) clearly, CASL practice and good practice tend to line up. ## What CASL actually covers CASL applies to a **commercial electronic message**, which is any electronic message that encourages participation in a commercial activity. That can include emails promoting a paid program, a fundraising campaign, or a ticketed event. Purely informational messages, and some fundraising messages sent by registered charities, may be treated differently. If the event you are emailing about will also [take donations at the door](https://opencommunity.ca/blog/accepting-donations-community-events-canada/index.md), the receipting decisions are worth making before the night, not at the table. Because the categories can overlap, many organizations apply consent and identification practices to most of their bulk email rather than sorting message by message. The Government of Canada maintains [official CASL guidance](https://fightspam.gc.ca) that explains the categories in detail. ## Express and implied consent CASL generally recognizes two kinds of consent. **Express consent** is when someone actively agrees to receive your messages, for example by ticking an unchecked box or entering their email into a sign-up form for that purpose. It does not expire until the person withdraws it. **Implied consent** can exist in specific situations, such as a recent registration or donation. Implied consent is usually time-limited. A practical habit is to record how and when you got consent, so you are not guessing later. - Ask for express consent at sign-in, registration, and event forms. - Keep the request specific: say what people are agreeing to receive. - Never pre-tick the consent box. ## What every message must include Whatever consent you rely on, CASL generally expects each commercial message to identify who is sending it and to give people an easy way to opt out. - Your organization's name, and on whose behalf the message is sent. - A valid mailing address and one other contact method, such as a phone number, email, or web address. - A working **unsubscribe** link that stays valid for a set period and takes effect promptly. Honour unsubscribe requests quickly. If someone opts out, remove them from that list rather than moving them to a different one. ## Keeping proof of consent If a question ever comes up, the organization that sent the message is usually the one asked to show consent. Simple, consistent records make this manageable: the date, the source such as a specific form or event, and what the person agreed to. A shared participant record keeps this in one place instead of scattered inboxes and spreadsheets. > Note: This article is general information only and is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For questions about your organization's obligations, consult a qualified professional or the relevant government resource (for example, the CRA for registered charity matters, or your provincial or territorial registry for nonprofit governance). ## Questions and answers ### Does CASL apply to registered charities? CASL can apply to charities, though some fundraising messages sent by registered charities are treated differently from other commercial messages. Because the categories overlap, many charities apply consent and identification practices to most bulk email to stay on the safe side. ### What is the difference between express and implied consent? Express consent is an active opt-in that does not expire until withdrawn. Implied consent arises from certain existing relationships, such as a recent registration or donation, and is usually time-limited. ### How fast do I have to honour an unsubscribe? CASL expects unsubscribe requests to take effect without undue delay. A good habit is to remove the person promptly and confirm the change, rather than leaving them on the list. ### Do we need consent for a plain program reminder? Messages that are purely transactional or informational, like a reminder about a program someone already registered for, may fall outside the commercial-message rules. When a message also promotes other paid programs or events, it is safer to treat it as commercial. ## More from OpenCommunity - [All resources](https://opencommunity.ca/blog/index.md): Browse every published guide. - [OpenCommunity features](https://opencommunity.ca/features/index.md): Explore the platform.