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330: Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)

Responsible Administrator: Associated Superintendent Corporate Services


PURPOSE

To ensure that Sturgeon Public Schools complies with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).

To ensure CASL compliance supports open and efficient communication with parents, partners and other stakeholders in public education.

To ensure CASL compliance takes into account staff workload and efficiency.

PROCESS

The Superintendent shall provide leadership by acknowledging the responsibility and directing the Associate Superintendent Corporate Services to enact the Division’s CASL Compliance plan. Staff shall ensure that their electronic communications adheres to CASL.

PROCEDURE

Under CASL, electronic communication between parents and school staff that is relevant to the parent’s role as a partner in their child’s education does not require consent.

On an annual basis, Principals shall review the relevant requirements of CASL with their staff.

Principals shall ensure staff participate in an annual acknowledgement of CASL responsibilities.

Staff shall ensure that their electronic communication adheres to the guidelines of this regulation. When sending electronic messages using Division technology, staff shall ensure that:

  • all messages include a clear subject line that tells the recipient what to expect in the message;
  • all messages shall be relevant to the business, role, function or duties of the recipient; and
  • consent, expressed or implied, shall be obtained from the recipient before an electronic message that is subject to CASL consent requirements is sent.

The Division may be financially penalized if Division digital communication systems are used in violation of CASL.

  • The Associate Superintendent, Corporate Services shall ensure the Division complies with CASL by:
  • performing periodic monitoring of Division electronic communication to determine which activities are at risk of violating CASL;
  • conducting an internal audit of the Division based on the outcome of ongoing monitoring as required;
  • monitoring any legislative or regulatory changes and interpretations and enforcement by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC);
  • ensuring all outgoing Division emails have a CASL footer indicating multiple ways of contacting the Division;
  • provide advice and guidance to assist Principals regarding CASL compliance;
  • implementing and maintaining an annual staff acknowledgement of the CASL responsibilities;
  • supporting PowerSchool as the primary communication method between schools and parents;
  • receiving, investigating, and responding to CASL complaints;
  • documenting and retaining records of complaints and the Division’s response; and maintaining and performing periodic reviews of the Division’s compliance as outlined in the CASL compliance plan.


References:

Admin Procedures:
       200 Communications
       300 Security of Personal and Divisional Information
       870 Responsible Use of Network Resources
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Education Act

History

2020 Apr 22 Initial Approval