ARCHIVED—An Anti-Spam Action Plan for Canada - Canada Gazette Notice

Summary of Submissions

An Anti-Spam Action Plan for Canada was announced on May 11, 2004, and a notice was published in the Canada Gazette on June 12, 2004. An extension of the comment period was published in the Canada Gazette July 3, 2004, extending the period to make written comments until August 30, 2004.

As of the closing date of August 30, 2004, only two organizations had provided comments on the Canada Gazette notice pertaining to An Anti-Spam Action Plan for Canada.

The first of these contributors welcomed the Task Force on Spam and An Anti-Spam Action Plan for Canada, but expressed some concerns about representation on the Task Force. Their main concern focussed on the fact that provincial governments, which share responsibilities in consumer protection, were not involved in the process. According to the contributor, if there is a review of existing laws and regulations, there should also, therefore, be recognition of provincial responsibilities. They also indicated their belief that concerted federal–provincial action is required to deal with the spam problem.

The other contributor shared the view that spam had now reached the point of jeopardizing the continued viability of email communications. The contributor took the position that the action areas listed in the Action Plan could contribute to a solution, but that there are serious limitations on their effectiveness. The organization believed that only the enactment of specific anti-spam legislation with private rights of action and associated statutory damages could address the problem of spam.