Tired of unwanted marketing flyers and promotions arriving in your mailbox? You’re not alone — and there’s a responsible, industry-backed way to reduce the print mail you receive. It’s called the Do Not Mail (DNM) service, managed by the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA).
Here’s how it works and why it matters — for you and for the businesses that send direct mail.
What is the Do Not Mail service?
The CMA’s Do Not Mail service allows Canadians to opt out of addressed marketing mail from organizations that are CMA members. Once you sign up, companies that follow responsible marketing practices will remove your name from future mailings.
This applies to:
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Catalogs
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Promotional letters
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Donation requests from charities
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Insurance offers
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Credit card promotions
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And more — any addressed advertising mail
You’ll still receive important mail like:
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Bills
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Government notices
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Bank and credit card statements
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Election materials
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Local unaddressed flyers (these follow different rules)
How to Opt Out
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Visit the official CMA opt-out site at https://www.thecma.ca.
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Fill out your name and mailing address.
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Confirm your submission.
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Your request remains active for six years (you can renew or remove it any time).
Once your name is added to the Do Not Mail list, participating businesses are expected to update their mailing lists before their next campaign. It may take 6 to 8 weeks before the reduction in mail is noticeable, depending on campaign timelines.
Why it benefits consumers and marketers
For consumers, the benefits are clear:
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Less clutter in your mailbox
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Better privacy control over how your information is used
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A smaller environmental footprint from unnecessary printing
But businesses benefit too — here’s how:
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They avoid mailing to people who are unlikely to respond
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Campaign results improve by focusing on a more engaged audience
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Wasted print and postage costs are reduced
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They maintain trust and brand reputation by respecting consent
If you’re looking to reduce your marketing mail while supporting responsible advertising, the CMA’s Do Not Mail program is a smart step. It’s free, easy to use, and delivers long-term benefits for both sides.