Rules for phoning voters

If you are planning on contacting voters by phone or through the use of automated calls, you are responsible for ensuring compliance with CRTC’s rules. Each type of call you make will have different rules. This depends on type of call and who makes it (for example, volunteers vs call centres). Click through to learn the rules for the calls you are making.

Are you making live or automated calls?
- Live Calls
- Automated Calls
Live calls have an active participant on both ends of the phone line.
Automated calls (often called robo-calls or voice drops) are calls made to phone numbers using an Automatic Dialing-Announcing Device (ADAD), including IVR Surveys
Are calls being made internally or by a call centre?
- Internal
- Call Centre
Internal calls are any calls being made by your volunteers or employees (including the candidate).
A Calling Service Provider is a person or group that carries on a business whose activities include making calls for, or on behalf of, another individual or group.
Are automated calls being made internally or by a vendor?
- Internal
- Vendor
An internal prerecorded message would mean that your team has the equipment to record and transmit the message. Liberalist is not an internal system.
A vendor is a third party that you contract to send the messages on your behalf. Liberalist uses a third party vendor to transmit automated calls.
Are you making a fundraising ask?
- Yes
- No
Rules for Live, Internal calls with a Fundraising Ask
Key CRTC Unsolicited Telecommunication Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
- At start of call, callers must:
  - Identify themselves
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
- Other Requirements:
  - Local or toll-free phone number must be provided on request
  - That number, when called, must give access to someone who can respond to questions/comments
  - E-mail or postal address for the campaign must also be provided on request
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
- Click here for more information
Do Not Calls
- Do not call anyone marked as Do Not Call in Liberalist
- Record Do Not Call upon request
Registration

You must register with the CRTC Do Not Call List Operator
- Campaigns and EDAs must all register separately
- Click here for more information and to register.
Rules for Live, Internal calls with no Fundraising Ask

Live calls without a fundraising ask do not require you to be registered with the CRTC. Please follow the best practices laid out in the Calling For Change information sheet.

Remember that if you make any sort of fundraising ask, even if it is not the primary purpose of your call, you must follow the rules for Live, Internal calls with a fundraising ask.
Are you making a fundraising ask?
- Yes
- No
Are calls being made during an election?
- Yes
- No
An election includes the general election as well as any by-elections.
Rules for Live Calls, made by a Call Centre with a Fundraising Ask, During the Writ
Key CRTC Unsolicited Telecommunication Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
  - 9 AM to 9:30 PM weekdays
  - 10 AM to 6 PM weekends
  - Times are local to the person receiving the call
- At start of call, callers must:
  - Identify themselves
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
- Other Requirements:
  - Local or toll-free phone number for the campaign and the call centre must be provided if requested
  - That number, when called, must give access to someone who can respond to questions/comments
  - E-mail or postal address for the campaign and the call centre must also be provided on request
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
- Click here for more information
Do Not Calls
- Do not call anyone marked as Do Not Call in Liberalist
- Record Do Not Call upon request
Registration

There are two separate registries that you must register with:
1. CRTC Do Not Call List Operator:
  - Campaigns and EDAs must all register separately
  - Click here for more information and to register.
2. Registration with the Voter Contact Registry (VCR):
  - Campaigns and Call Centres must all register separately
  - Registration must be filed within 48 hours of first call
  - Click here for more information and to register
Entering into an Agreement with the Call Centre
- Agreement must be entered into by the official representative (Official Agent) or the Candidate
- The following information must be provided to the call centre:
  - The registrant must give call centre name, address, phone number and copy of piece of CRTC authorized ID containing their name and a photo
  - CRTC will post what is considered authorized ID on its website
  - Photo ID will need to notarized prior to entering into the contract
  - Before first call made, the registrant must authorize that call to be made
Rules for Live Calls, made by a Call Centre with a Fundraising Ask, Outside the Writ
Key CRTC Unsolicited Telecommunication Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
  - 9 AM to 9:30 PM weekdays
  - 10 AM to 6 PM weekends
  - Times are local to the person receiving the call
  - Check provincial legislation for any stricter curfews
- At start of call, callers must:
  - Identify themselves
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
- Other Requirements:
  - Local or toll-free phone number for the campaign and the call centre must be provided if requested
  - That number, when called, must give access to someone who can respond to questions/comments
  - E-mail or postal address for the campaign and the call centre must also be provided on request
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
- Click here for more information
Do Not Calls
- Do not call anyone marked as Do Not Call in Liberalist
- Record Do Not Call upon request
Registration

You must register with the CRTC Do Not Call List Operator
- Campaigns and Call Centres must all register separately
- Click here for more information and to register.
Rules for Live Calls, made by a Call Centre with no Fundraising Ask, During the Writ
Remember that if you make any sort of fundraising ask, even if it is not the primary purpose of your call, you must follow the rules for calls with a fundraising ask.

Click here for more information

Do Not Calls
- Do not call anyone marked as Do Not Call in Liberalist
- Record Do Not Call upon request
Registration

Registration with the Voter Contact Registry (VCR):
- Campaigns and Call Centres must all register separately
- Registration must be filed within 48 hours of first call
- Click here for more information and to register
Entering into an Agreement with the Call Centre
- Agreement must be entered into by the official representative (Official Agent) or the Candidate
- The following information must be provided to the call centre:
  - The registrant must give call centre name, address, phone number and copy of piece of CRTC authorized ID containing their name and a photo
  - CRTC will post what is considered authorized ID on its website
  - Photo ID will need to notarized prior to entering into the contract
  - Before first call made, the registrant must authorize that call to be made
Rules for Live calls made by a Call Centre with no Fundraising Ask, outside the Writ

Live calls without a fundraising ask do not require you to be registered with the CRTC. Please follow the best practices laid out in the Calling For Change information sheet.

Remember that if you make any sort of fundraising ask, even if it is not the primary purpose of your call, you must follow the rules for Live, Internal calls with a fundraising ask.
Are you Making a Fundraising Ask?
- Yes
- No
STOP!

Fundraising asks via automated calls are prohibited without express permission from the person you are calling.
Are Calls being made during an election?
- Yes
- No
Rules for Prerecorded Messages, made Internally, During the Writ
CRTC’s Key ADAD Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
  - 9 AM to 9:30 PM weekdays
  - 10 AM to 6 PM weekends
  - Times are local to the person receiving the call
- Recorded messages must:
  - Identify person e.g. candidate/nomination contestant/Party/EDA, on whose behalf call being sent
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
  - Provide an electronic mail address or postal mailing address PLUS local or toll free phone number where candidate/nomination contestant/representatives can be reached
  - If message longer than 60 seconds, repeat ID information
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
Registration

Registration with the Voter Contact Registry (VCR)
- Campaigns and Call Centres must all register separately
- Must register following the first call, you cannot register sooner
- Registration must be filed within 48 hours of first call
- Click here for more information and to register
Records

Retaining Recordings:
- You must keep track of each unique recording and the date it was used.
- Campaigns must retain all recordings for 1 year
Rules for Prerecorded Messages, made Internally, outside the Writ
CRTC’s Key ADAD Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
  - 9 AM to 9:30 PM weekdays
  - 10 AM to 6 PM weekends
  - Times are local to the person receiving the call
  - Check provincial legislation for any stricter curfews
- Recorded messages must:
  - Identify person e.g. candidate/nomination contestant/Party/EDA, on whose behalf call being sent
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
  - Provide an electronic mail address or postal mailing address PLUS local or toll free phone number where candidate/nomination contestant/representatives can be reached
  - If message longer than 60 seconds, repeat ID information
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
Do Not Calls
- Do not call anyone marked as Do Not Call in Liberalist
- Record Do Not Call upon request
Rules for Automated Calls, sent by a Vendor, During the Writ
CRTC’s Key ADAD Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
  - 9 AM to 9:30 PM weekdays
  - 10 AM to 6 PM weekends
  - Times are local to the person receiving the call
  - Check provincial legislation for any stricter curfews
- Recorded messages must:
  - Identify person e.g. candidate/nomination contestant/Party/EDA, on whose behalf call being sent
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
  - Provide an electronic mail address or postal mailing address PLUS local or toll free phone number where candidate/nomination contestant/representatives can be reached
  - If message longer than 60 seconds, repeat ID information
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
Registration

Registration with the Voter Contact Registry (VCR)
- Campaigns and Call Centres must all register separately
- Registration must be filed within 48 hours of first call
- Click here for more information and to register
Entering into an Agreement with the Call Centre
- Agreement must be entered into by the official representative (Official Agent) or the Candidate
- The following information must be provided to the call centre:
  - The registrant must give call centre name, address, phone number and copy of piece of CRTC authorized ID containing their name and a photo
  - CRTC will post what is considered authorized ID on its website
  - Photo ID will need to notarized prior to entering into the contract
  - Before first call made, the registrant must authorize that call to be made
Rules for Prerecorded Messages sent by a Vendor, outside the Writ
CRTC’s Key ADAD Rules
- Calling can only take place between:
  - 9 AM to 9:30 PM weekdays
  - 10 AM to 6 PM weekends
  - Times are local to the person receiving the call
  - Check provincial legislation for any stricter curfews
- Recorded messages must:
  - Identify person e.g. candidate/nomination contestant/Party/EDA, on whose behalf call being sent
  - Tell voter on whose behalf they are calling (e.g. EDA or Candidate)
  - Indicate the call’s purpose
  - Provide an electronic mail address or postal mailing address PLUS local or toll free phone number where candidate/nomination contestant/representatives can be reached
  - If message longer than 60 seconds, repeat ID information
  - Ensure that the phone numbers and addresses are valid for 60 days after the calls are made
- Do not make calls to emergency lines or healthcare facilities
- Do not dial sequentially (555-1234, 555-1235, 555-1236 etc.)
Do Not Calls
- Do not call anyone marked as Do Not Call in Liberalist
- Record Do Not Call upon request
Email
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Please Note that this information is provided as a guide and is not legal advice.

Rules for phoning voters

Rules for phoning voters

Rules for phoning voters

Rules for Live, Internal calls with a Fundraising Ask

Rules for Live, Internal calls with no Fundraising Ask

Rules for Live Calls, made by a Call Centre with a Fundraising Ask, During the Writ

Rules for Live Calls, made by a Call Centre with a Fundraising Ask, Outside the Writ

Rules for Live Calls, made by a Call Centre with no Fundraising Ask, During the Writ

Rules for Live calls made by a Call Centre with no Fundraising Ask, outside the Writ

STOP!

Rules for Prerecorded Messages, made Internally, During the Writ

Rules for Prerecorded Messages, made Internally, outside the Writ

Rules for Automated Calls, sent by a Vendor, During the Writ

Rules for Prerecorded Messages sent by a Vendor, outside the Writ