To stop most telemarketing calls in Canada, register your phone number on the National Do Not Call List (DNCL). It is free, it takes a few minutes online or by phone, and since registrations became permanent you never need to renew. Telemarketers have up to 31 days to remove your number from their lists, and some types of callers remain allowed.
Quick answer: register at the official DNCL website or call 1-866-580-3625 from the number you want to register. Expect calls to drop after about 31 days. If they continue, file a complaint with the date, time and caller details.
What the National Do Not Call List does
The DNCL is run under the authority of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Telemarketers must check the list and stop calling registered numbers, unless they fall into an exempt category. The list covers landlines, cell phones, fax numbers and VoIP numbers.
It is important to understand what the list does not do: it will not stop scammers, who ignore the rules anyway. For those calls, see our guide on how to recognize phishing emails and texts.
How to register
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Online | Use the registration page on the official DNCL website |
| Phone | Call 1-866-580-3625 from the number you want to register (TTY: 1-888-362-5889) |
| Fax | Fax 1-888-362-5329 from the fax number to register, with the words “Please Register” and the number |
Registration is free. If anyone asks you to pay to be placed on the Do Not Call List, it is a scam.
How long until calls stop?
Your number is added to the list immediately, but telemarketers have 31 days to update their calling lists. You may still receive some calls during that period. After that, calls from non-exempt telemarketers should stop.
Who can still call you
The rules exempt several types of callers:
- Canadian registered charities seeking donations.
- Political parties, candidates and riding associations.
- Market research and public opinion polling firms (not selling anything).
- General-circulation newspapers selling subscriptions.
- Businesses with which you have an existing business relationship: a purchase, lease or rental in the last 18 months, a written contract in effect or expired within the last 18 months, or an inquiry you made in the last 6 months.
- Anyone you gave express consent to call you.
Even exempt callers must keep their own internal do-not-call list. If you ask an exempt organization to stop calling you, it must add you to its internal list.
How to file a complaint
- Wait until 31 days have passed since registration.
- Note the caller’s name or company, the phone number shown, the date and time of the call, and what was being sold.
- File the complaint through the DNCL website or by phone.
- Provide your contact information so the complaint can be investigated.
Complaints help the CRTC identify violators. Penalties can apply to telemarketers who break the rules.
Other ways to cut unwanted calls
- Ask your phone provider about call-filtering or spam-blocking features.
- Do not press any key or say “yes” during a suspicious robocall; hang up.
- Be careful when filling out contest entries and online forms: checking a consent box can create an exemption.
- Report fraud attempts to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Our guide on how to spot and avoid online shopping scams covers more red flags.
Quick checklist
- ☐ Number registered on the official DNCL site or by phone.
- ☐ Registration date noted.
- ☐ After 31 days, unwanted calls logged with date and time.
- ☐ Exempt callers asked to put you on their internal list.
- ☐ Complaint filed for persistent violators.
- ☐ Call-filtering options activated with your provider.
FAQ
Does my registration expire?
No. Registrations on the National DNCL are permanent, so you do not need to renew.
Can I register my cell phone?
Yes. The list covers cell phones, landlines, VoIP and fax numbers.
Will the list stop robocalls?
It stops legitimate telemarketers who follow the rules. Illegal robocalls and scams often ignore the list, so use call filtering and hang up on suspicious calls.
What if I moved and kept my number?
The registration follows the number, not the address, so it stays in effect.
Conclusion
Registering on the National Do Not Call List is free, fast and permanent. It will not eliminate every unwanted call, but combined with call filtering and good scam awareness, it reduces telemarketing significantly. For more money-saving consumer guides, see how to spot real Black Friday deals in Canada.