Charities & the National Do Not Call List (DNCL): What You Need to Know

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Key Takeaways for Charities and the DNCL

• You must register with the National DNCL.

• You do not need to purchase a National DNCL subscription when calling for donations as a registered charity (Telecommunications Act, s.41.7).

• You must keep internal DNC requests for three years and follow all other telemarketing rules.

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The cost of a subscription to the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) increased in September 2025. That’s left many charities wondering: do we need to pay for this?

The short answer: No. If you are a registered Canadian charity calling to solicit donations, you are exempt from buying a DNCL subscription.

Here’s what you do need to know to stay compliant.

✅ Registration is required for charities

• All telemarketers, including charities, must register with the National DNCL.

• Registration is free. It simply lets the CRTC know who is making calls.

  
  

🚫 Subscription is not required for charities

• Registered Canadian charities are exempt from the DNCL subscription requirement under section 41.7 of the Telecommunications Act.

• You do not need to purchase a paid DNCL subscription or scrub your calling lists against the National DNCL when calling on behalf of your charity to solicit donations.

• Registration and subscription are separate. Confusion often happens because the two terms get mixed up.

  
  

Your obligations under the UT Rules

Even with the DNCL exemption, charities must follow the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (UT Rules):

• Respect internal do-not-call requests

  • If someone asks not to be called again, add them to your internal DNC list.

  • Their number must stay on that list for at least three (3) years (UT Rules, Part II, s. 6).

• Identify yourselves

  • Callers must state the name of the charity and provide a contact number (UT Rules, Part III, s. 23).

• Respect calling hours

  • 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekends, local time of the person called (UT Rules, Part III, s. 23).

• Maintain records

  • Keep proof of compliance and internal DNC requests (UT Rules, Part II, s. 8).

    
    

Why this is confusing right now

• The CRTC raised subscription fees in September 2025 for organizations that must scrub against the DNCL (CRTC subscription rates notice).

• Vendors and even some CRTC agents are unintentionally spreading confusion.

• The law itself has not changed: the charity exemption is still in place.

Myth vs. Fact: National DNCL for Charities

❌ Myth	✅ Fact
“Charities now have to buy a DNCL subscription because fees increased.”	Registered charities remain exempt from subscription requirements. Fees apply to non-exempt telemarketers only.
“Registration and subscription are the same thing.”	Registration is mandatory (free). Subscription is not required for registered charities soliciting donations.
“We can ignore do-not-call requests because we’re exempt.”	Exemption only applies to the national list. Charities must maintain an internal DNC list for 3 years and comply with all UT Rules.

The Keys Marketing Group Promise

At Keys Marketing Group, we promise to be your trusted partner in fundraising. That means:

• Compliance you can count on — we follow every regulation, from DNCL rules to donor privacy standards.

• Protection for your donors — ensuring respectful, transparent conversations every time.

• Peace of mind for your team — so you can focus on your mission while we handle the calls with professionalism and care.

With Keys by your side, you don’t have to worry — you can trust that every call strengthens donor relationships and supports your cause.