TL;DR: Canada's National Do Not Call List (DNCL), run for the CRTC, is free and permanent once you register. Sign up at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or call 1-866-580-3625 from the phone you want to add; telemarketers get 31 days to update their lists. Charities, political parties, pollsters, newspapers and companies you recently dealt with can still call. Scammers ignore the list, so registration cuts sales calls but not fraud.
How to register
According to the DNCL's official FAQ, you can register three ways:
- Online at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca, under Register your number.
- By phone: call 1-866-580-3625 (1-866-580-DNCL) from the number you want to register. TTY: 1-888-362-5889.
- By fax: send a fax marked “Please Register” from the fax line you want to add, to 1-888-362-5329.
Registration starts right away, but “telemarketers have 31 days to update their own lists,” so some calls may continue for a month. It never expires: once your number is on the list, it stays there permanently.
Who can still call you
The DNCL rules exempt several kinds of callers:
- Registered Canadian charities
- Political parties, candidates and riding associations
- Polling and market research firms doing surveys
- Newspapers selling subscriptions
- Businesses you have an existing relationship with, such as a purchase or contract in the last 18 months, or an inquiry in the last 6 months
- Anyone you gave express consent to call you
If an exempt caller keeps phoning, ask them directly to stop calling you and note the date you asked.
How to complain
If a telemarketer calls after the 31 days, file a complaint online under File a Complaint, or by phone on 1-866-580-3625 on weekdays (8:30am to 4:30pm). Have ready the telemarketer's name or number, the date of the call, what happened, and your contact details.
Why scam calls keep coming
The list only works on businesses that follow the law. Fraudsters calling as your bank, the CRA or the police don't check it, and many fake their caller ID. If a call pressures you to move money, hang up and call the organisation on a number you find yourself. Our guide to Canadian bank impersonation scams shows the common scripts, and caller ID spoofing explains how they fake the number.
If you were defrauded, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your bank. Our page on how to report identity theft in Canada lists the steps.
Same idea, other countries
If you have numbers or relatives abroad, see our guides to the US National Do Not Call Registry, Australia's Do Not Call Register and the UK Telephone Preference Service.
Scam calls usually start with a leaked number. A free email exposure check shows whether your email is in known breaches, and the full Scan My Shadow scan adds your phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register on Canada’s Do Not Call List?
Register online at lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or call 1-866-580-3625 from the phone you want to add. TTY users can call 1-888-362-5889.
Does Canada’s Do Not Call registration expire?
No. The DNCL says once you register, your number stays on the list permanently.
How long until telemarketers stop calling?
Registration takes effect right away, but telemarketers have 31 days to update their lists.
Who can still call me on the DNCL?
Registered charities, political parties and candidates, pollsters and market researchers, newspapers selling subscriptions, businesses you dealt with recently, and anyone you gave consent to.
How do I make a DNCL complaint?
Use File a Complaint on lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or call 1-866-580-3625 on weekdays, with the caller’s name or number and the date of the call.
Sources
- National Do Not Call List: Frequently Asked Questions
- National Do Not Call List: Who can still call you