Can I record a call in Canada?

Yes, if you are part of the conversation. The Criminal Code allows a participant to record their own call. A business that records still has privacy-law duties.

One-party consent A person who takes part in the conversation may record it without the others agreeing.

General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 2026. Laws change and facts differ; check before you rely on any line here, and ask a lawyer licensed where you record for anything that matters.

What the rule means

Intercepting a private communication is an offence, with an exception where one party to it consents. As a participant, your consent is that consent. The rule is the same in Ontario and every other province.
An organisation recording in the course of commercial activity has to say why it records, get meaningful consent, limit the use and keep the recording secure. Telling people at the start of the call, with the purpose, is the usual way.
Recording for purely personal use is outside PIPEDA.
Employers should have a written policy. Ontario requires larger employers to disclose electronic monitoring of employees.

The law

Criminal Code, s. 184(1) and s. 184(2)(a)
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
Provincial private-sector laws in Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia

Interception without any party consenting is an indictable offence. Privacy-law breaches are handled by the federal or provincial privacy commissioner.

When the others are somewhere else

Calls with people in the United States or Europe can bring their rules in. Announce the recording when anyone may be in an all-party place. Video meetings are treated like phone calls, and the strictest rule that applies to anyone on the call is the one to follow.

What to say

The law here does not require it, but saying it costs one sentence and covers the people who may be somewhere stricter.

“Quick note before we start: I’m recording and transcribing this meeting on my own computer for my notes. It isn’t shared with anyone unless I send it to you. Let me know if you’d rather I didn’t.”

How Recordist fits

You are the participant. Recordist records your own microphone and the audio arriving at your computer. No bot joins the call.
It asks before every recording. Nothing records until you confirm, and the confirm card can show the sentence above as a reminder.
The notice is still yours to give. Software cannot give consent for the other people. Tell them when anyone may be somewhere stricter.

Recordist is opening in small waves. Ask for a place.