A Canadian Cease and Desist Letter is a formal written demand sent to an individual or entity directing them to stop (cease) a specific unlawful activity and refrain from repeating it (desist). While not a court order and not legally binding on its own, a cease and desist letter serves as formal notice of the sender's legal rights and creates a documented paper trail that Canadian courts consider significant if the matter proceeds to litigation.

In the intellectual property context, a cease and desist letter is the standard first step for addressing trademark infringement under the Trademarks Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. T-13), copyright infringement under the Copyright Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42), and patent infringement under the Patent Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. P-4). Canada's notice-and-notice regime under the Copyright Modernization Act requires internet service providers to forward copyright infringement notices to subscribers — but the cease and desist letter itself goes directly to the infringer.

For harassment and defamation, the letter puts the offending party on notice that their conduct is actionable under provincial tort law. Canadian defamation law — which differs from US law in placing the burden of proof on the defendant to establish truth as a defence — makes cease and desist letters particularly effective because the recipient's continued conduct after receiving notice can support a claim for aggravated or punitive damages. The letter establishes that the recipient had actual knowledge of the complaint, eliminating any defence of ignorance.

A Canadian Cease and Desist Letter is needed when someone is infringing on your intellectual property — using your trademark without authorization, copying your copyrighted content, or reproducing your patented invention. Under the Copyright Act, sending a formal notice is often the most cost-effective first step before pursuing statutory damages of up to $20,000 per work infringed (for commercial infringement) or pursuing an injunction through the Federal Court.

This letter is essential when dealing with online defamation — false statements published on social media, review platforms, or websites that damage your personal or business reputation. Canadian courts have recognized that defamatory statements online can spread rapidly, and a prompt cease and desist letter demanding removal establishes the timeline of the plaintiff's efforts to mitigate harm.

Breach of contract situations — where a former business partner violates a non-competition clause, a former employee breaches a confidentiality agreement, or a counterparty continues to use proprietary information after the contract has ended — warrant a cease and desist letter before pursuing litigation. Debt collection disputes, where a creditor is using harassing or illegal collection tactics in violation of provincial collection agency legislation, also justify a cease and desist letter.

The letter is strategically valuable because it often resolves disputes without the cost and delay of litigation. Many recipients comply upon receiving a well-drafted letter that clearly identifies the unlawful conduct, cites the applicable law, and states the consequences of non-compliance.

An effective Canadian Cease and Desist Letter must clearly identify the sender (the aggrieved party) and the recipient (the party engaging in the unlawful conduct), with full legal names and addresses. The letter should be dated and sent by a traceable method — registered mail through Canada Post, courier with signature confirmation, or email with read receipt — to establish proof of delivery.

The specific unlawful conduct must be described in detail — what the recipient is doing, when it started, and where it is occurring. Vague allegations weaken the letter's impact. For trademark infringement, identify the registered trademark number from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). For copyright infringement, describe the copyrighted work and how it is being reproduced without authorization. For defamation, quote the specific false statements and identify where they were published.

The legal basis for the demand must be stated — cite the specific statute, regulation, or contractual provision that the recipient is violating. Reference the applicable Canadian legislation (Copyright Act, Trademarks Act, Criminal Code, or provincial tort law) and briefly explain why the conduct is unlawful.

The demand itself must be clear and specific — what exactly the recipient must do (remove content, stop using a trademark, cease contact, return property) and the deadline for compliance (typically 10 to 30 days). State the consequences of non-compliance — legal action, injunctive relief, damages claims, or reporting to regulatory authorities. The letter should be signed by the sender or their legal representative. While a lawyer's letterhead adds weight, a cease and desist letter from an individual is equally valid under Canadian law.