All information we collect from Canadians for the purpose of doing business is protected by laws. From payment information to email subscriptions, all business owners in Canada must comply with these laws.
Data Sovereignty, from the online business perspective, refers to where that data is physically stored. For websites and their subscriber databases, it’s data centres and the servers they house.
Data sovereignty (or disclosure) is required by the Canadian Privacy Act and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). In addition to federal laws, there are Provincial laws that restrict the movement of personal data. Laws may also vary according to the type of business you have or what sector it’s in.
For more information about Canadian data sovereignty for websites and Canadian website hosting, please read Canadian Law for Online Businesses: Data Sovereignty FAQs.
Canadian Email Marketing and Data Sovereignty
Most global privacy laws include email addresses as ‘private information’. While it’s still a grey area in Canada (intermingling with anti-spam laws and encryption requirements), chances are it will be defined and included eventually. When it comes to subscriber data, each type of information could be considered separately from the email address. For example, if your signup form asks for additional information like name, birthdate, or address, each answer could have laws that apply to it specifically.
To avoid this tangled web, many Canadian businesses are choosing website hosting and email marketing tools with data centres located in Canada. When the data is stored on Canadian soil, many privacy and security concerns are removed by default.
“Data sovereignty means that digital data is subject to the laws of the country in which it is located,” states CIRA. “Data stored in Canada falls within Canadian privacy laws, as well as data that flows only within our borders. Once your data travels outside of Canada’s borders it is open to the laws of the land. In the U.S., for example, Canadians have no right to privacy.”
Canadian Email Marketing Platforms
Our Top Picks
I’m approaching three decades of online marketing, and in that time I’ve used many email marketing and newsletter publishing tools. The following winners were chosen for their Canadian-friendly features, domestic data storage, functionality, integrations, user friendliness, and affordability.
[DISCLOSURE: We may receive compensation for links to products on this website.]
Cakemail
Cakemail is a Canadian-owned email marketing platform. They store all subscriber data on Canadian soil, comply with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), and the invoice will be in Canadian dollars. Free migration from your current email software may be included (approved accounts only).
“Bring your data home,” recommends Cakemail. “US-based email providers come with legal risks—exposure to US laws, privacy concerns, and compliance challenges. With Cakemail, your data stays in Canada, ensuring security, CASL compliance, and customer trust.”
Cyberimpact
Cyberimpact is a bilingual email marketing platform based in Quebec. They host all subscriber data in Canadian data centres, and comply with CASL. You can start using Cyberimpact free of charge for up to 250 subscribers. Cyberimpact’s current rating on Google Reviews is 4.9/5.
ADNETIS
ADNETIS offers a Canadian email marketing platform based in Quebec. The Canada-friendly features include domestic data storage, CASL compliance, and bilingual options. They have a free option for up to 250 subscribers, so you can give it a thorough test drive before upgrading as you grow your email list.
Envoke
Envoke is based in Ontario, with data stored in Canada. You can send CASL-compliant, French or English emails with Envoke, and your bill will be in Canadian dollars.
“Envoke being a Canadian company has been important for me,” says Peter Bearse of KFL&A Public Health. “It allows my data to be stored domestically, and they have been very helpful navigating the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation to help my email to remain compliant.”
Disclosure: I am not a lawyer and this article should not be taken as legal advice. The information contained herein is my understanding of the topic at hand at the time of this post.
Do you have any questions or suggestions about data sovereignty in Canada for email marketers? Please comment below or join us in the Online Business Canada Facebook group.
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Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business/marketing education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
Your writing is not only informative but also incredibly inspiring. You have a knack for sparking curiosity and encouraging critical thinking. Thank you for being such a positive influence!
I didn’t hear of any Canadian email services before. They need better marketing maybe? Do they have affiliate programs? I’ll take a look.
It’s even more important to keep our data in Canada even if we didn’t have any privacy laws. It’s open season once it leaves our country and some countries have proven they can’t be trusted, even our allies. PLUS you’re supporting the BUY CANADIAN movement —- WIN/WIN!