Advertising to Canadians

Things to know

Federal and provincial laws prohibit representations for the purpose of promoting a product or service that are false or misleading.
Advertising to children in the Province of Quebec is prohibited; children are defined as being under the age of 13.
Advertising to children elsewhere should comply with the Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children and the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, as well as general false / misleading advertising laws.
Sweepstakes and Contests are often impacted by illegal lottery and advertising laws.
Complaints made under the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards are handled by an industry self-regulatory body, Advertising Standards Canada.

Confirm that express or implied savings claims can be substantiated against the “ordinary” or “regular” price” based on time or volume tests set out in the Competition Act.
Obtain adequate and proper testing before making comparative claims.
Document that testimonials represent a customer’s honest belief based on experience with the product or service.
Ensure promotional contests are structured to avoid gaming offences in the Criminal Code and to comply with applicable contest disclosure, registration, duty and security rules.
Ensure advertising directed to children is not available in Quebec.
Ensure that header and sender information in your electronic messages, and the content of your messages, are not misleading.

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