Bulk SMS in Canada goes over short codes or verified toll-free numbers: alphanumeric sender IDs are not supported and carriers filter A2P traffic on ordinary long codes, while CASL requires consent and an unsubscribe option. VoIP in Canada is regulated by the CRTC, which has required STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication on IP calls since November 2021 and network blocking of calls with clearly invalid caller IDs.
Rules last checked: October 2026.
Bulk SMS in Canada: short codes, toll-free and long codes
| Sender type | Status in Canada as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Short code (5 or 6 digits) | The preferred A2P channel; approval takes about 12 to 16 weeks |
| Toll-free number | Supported for A2P after toll-free verification |
| Canadian long code | Supported, but carriers filter A2P traffic heavily |
| Alphanumeric | Not supported |
Canadian short codes are run by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) through its common short code program, and each campaign is reviewed by the carriers before launch. Short code SMS in Canada is limited to 160 characters. Toll-free messaging follows the same verification process as in the US: see toll-free SMS verification, SMS short codes and 10DLC vs toll-free vs short code.
CASL consent and restricted content
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) applies to commercial electronic messages, including SMS:
- you need express or implied consent before sending, and must be able to prove it;
- each message must identify the sender and give contact details;
- each message must include an unsubscribe method, and requests must be honoured within 10 business days;
- short codes must also answer STOP and HELP keywords, in English and French where relevant.
Carriers refuse high-risk content on all sender types: payday and high-interest loans, debt collection and credit repair, gambling, cannabis, tobacco and vaping, alcohol, adult content, phishing and lead generation. See SMS content restrictions.
Canadian mobile networks
The main carriers are Rogers, Bell and Telus, plus Freedom Mobile and Vidéotron, with brands such as Fido, Koodo and Virgin Plus on top. Canada shares the +1 North American numbering plan with the US, so number lookups are needed to tell Canadian from US numbers (VoIP number lookup and line type).
VoIP in Canada: regulator and numbering
VoIP is legal in Canada. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates telecoms, and VoIP providers must register with it. Canadian numbers use the +1 code with ten-digit numbers and area codes such as 416 (Toronto), 514 (Montreal) and 604 (Vancouver). Fixed and mobile numbers share the same area codes, so most wholesale decks price Canada as a single destination or by area code rather than by fixed and mobile. Freephone uses 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888, shared with the US.
Canada CLI rules: STIR/SHAKEN and call blocking
- STIR/SHAKEN: since 30 November 2021 (CRTC Decision 2021-123), carriers must authenticate and verify caller ID on IP-based voice calls. In December 2025 (Decision 2025-343) the CRTC replaced the regular semi-annual reporting with targeted requests for information.
- Network-level blocking: since December 2019, carriers block calls whose caller ID is clearly invalid, such as numbers that do not exist in the numbering plan.
- Telemarketing: the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and the National Do Not Call List (run for the CRTC) apply, with calling hours of 9:00 to 21:30 on weekdays and 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends.
For buyers this means the CLI must be a valid number you are allowed to use, and calls that reach Canadian carriers unsigned or with a low attestation are more likely to be labelled or blocked. See STIR/SHAKEN explained and why business calls show as spam likely.
What buyers ask for on Canadian routes
- Attestation level delivered and CLI transparency (CLI vs non-CLI routes).
- Flat or area-code rates, ASR, ACD and short-call policies for dialer traffic.
- For SMS: short code or toll-free provisioning time and carrier filtering on long codes.
Check coverage on the Canada VoIP destination page and the Canada SMS destination page, or read about our VoIP termination and A2P SMS routes. VoIPMatcher sources the route from its carriers and manages it; buyers and sellers never see each other. Request a Canada voice route or request a Canada SMS route.
Frequently asked questions
Does Canada use 10DLC registration?
Canada has no separate national 10DLC system like the US. Canadian carriers filter A2P traffic on ordinary long codes, so businesses use short codes approved through the CWTA program or toll-free numbers that pass toll-free verification. Some providers apply US-style registration checks to Canadian long codes anyway, so ask before sending.
How long does it take to get a short code in Canada?
About 12 to 16 weeks. You lease the short code through the CWTA common short code program, then each carrier reviews and approves the campaign, including opt-in flow, HELP and STOP replies and message content. Plan the launch date around the slowest carrier approval.
Is STIR/SHAKEN mandatory in Canada?
Yes. The CRTC has required Canadian carriers to authenticate and verify caller ID on IP-based voice calls with STIR/SHAKEN since 30 November 2021. Calls that cross older non-IP networks may lose the signature. Carriers use the results, together with other data, to label or block suspicious calls.
What consent does CASL require for SMS?
CASL requires express or implied consent before sending a commercial text message. Express consent must be requested clearly and recorded. Every message must identify the sender, give contact details and include an unsubscribe method, and unsubscribe requests must be processed within 10 business days.
Can I send SMS with a brand name as sender in Canada?
No. Canadian carriers do not support alphanumeric sender IDs. Messages come from a short code, a toll-free number or a ten-digit long code, so put your brand name at the start of the message text so recipients know who is writing.
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