Proclamation
4notify Canada · Canada Gazette
PROCLAIMED · CRTC
Proclamation No.
PRO-CA-002
Date
2026-05-27
Status
In force
Category
Telecommunications

CRTC numbering, alphanumeric Sender ID and short-code provisioning for A2P SMS traffic into Canada

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) administers Canada's blocks of the North American Numbering Plan and the rules for alphanumeric Sender ID and common short codes. Canada's distinctive feature is CASL — Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation — which requires express consent for commercial electronic messages and is enforced jointly by the CRTC, the Competition Bureau and the OPC. 4notify routes over tier-1 direct connections to four carriers and runs the consent check at the API edge.

SMSVoice
Preamble

Section 1 — Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act and the Canadian Numbering Administration framework, and in support of Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, this Proclamation governs the provisioning of Sender ID and short codes and the delivery of A2P SMS traffic into Canada.

Statutory Basis
Telecommunications Act (S.C. 1993, c. 38)

CRTC authority over numbering, carrier obligations and telecommunications service standards.

Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)

Express consent required for commercial electronic messages; unsubscribe and identification obligations.

Common Short Code Application Guidelines

Provisioning of dedicated and shared short codes through the Canadian carrier registry.

Implementation
01

CRTC framework + carrier agreements

4notify is provisioned with Rogers, Bell, Telus and Freedom Mobile and operates within the CRTC numbering and Sender ID framework.

02

Alphanumeric Sender ID registration

Brands register their Sender IDs (e.g. "RBC", "CANADAPOST") with the carriers. Required: trademark or business attestation and a sample message. Activation: 5-10 business days.

03

CASL express-consent check (mandatory)

Every commercial message is checked for valid CASL consent before sending; numbers without a recorded consent are rejected at the API edge.

04

STOP keyword handling

STOP, ARRET (FR) and UNSUBSCRIBE keywords are honoured within 10 business days and the suppression list is mirrored to every carrier.

Delivery Envelope
json
{
  "event": "sms.delivery",
  "to": "+14165551234",
  "sender_id": "CANADAPOST",
  "sender_token": "CRTC-2026-CANADAPOST-3001234",
  "text": "Canada Post: Parcel 481923 is out for delivery. Track: cpc.ca/abc. Reply STOP to opt out.",
  "casl_consent": "express",
  "carrier_route": "rogers_direct"
}
Sample Message
SMS

Canada Post: Parcel 481923 is out for delivery. Track: cpc.ca/abc. Reply STOP to opt out.

Compliance Checklist
  • CRTC numbering and Sender ID provisioning documented
  • Alphanumeric Sender ID registered with all four carriers
  • CASL consent check automated at the API edge (≤5 min cache)
  • STOP/ARRET handling within 10 business days attested
The 4notify difference

4notify is the only A2P provider that automates the CASL express-consent check at the API edge while holding simultaneous Sender ID coverage across Rogers, Bell, Telus and Freedom Mobile — meeting Canada's distinctive consent regime.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Canadian legal entity to send SMS to Canada?

No. 4notify manages the tier-1 connections from EU infrastructure. The brand supplies a trademark or business attestation for Sender ID registration, but CASL consent records are tied to the sending brand regardless of where it is incorporated.

What is CASL and why is it mandatory?

CASL is Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation. Every commercial electronic message requires express or implied consent and a working unsubscribe mechanism; the CRTC can levy administrative monetary penalties of up to $10 million for violations.

Proclaimed by
4notify Operations Office
2026-05-27 · PRO-CA-002

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