On July 1, new Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation will come into effect, regulating the distribution of commercial electronic messages by all organizations and individuals in Canada.
The University of Alberta already has stringent and well-developed practices in place for ensuring the privacy and security of the information of the people we contact, and we are taking steps to ensure we comply with the new legislation.
Providing consent
Over the coming months, the U of A will ask people who receive email containing information about paid programs and events, contests or special promotional offers for their express consent to receive this information.
Providing consent will maintain the status quo. People will continue to receive the same types of information they are currently receiving. Providing consent will not lead to additional emails or newsletters. Nor will it change the university's privacy policy; personal information will continue to be vigorously protected.
To ensure there is ample opportunity to respond, the university plans to send a number of emails requesting consent between May and June. The university will take steps to ensure that people who may be on multiple mailing lists do not receive duplicate requests for consent, and that once consent is given, people are not asked again.
As in the past, personal contact information can be updated at any time via the University of Alberta's online update form. The U of A also provides an unsubscribe option in all emails and newsletters that it sends.
People who choose not to provide consent will continue to receive email and e-newsletters from the U of A, as well as information about opportunities to provide philanthropic support. However, they will no longer receive information about paid programs and events, contests or promotional offers.
Learn more about the changes required by federal legislation