Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support - Canadian Heritage

"Canada" wordmark and acknowledgement text

The use of the "Canada" wordmark allows everyone to easily recognize that an activity is supported by the Government of Canada.

Where space and circumstances allow, a credit line that refers to the Government of Canada accompanies the wordmark. The following options can be used:

• "Funded by the Government of Canada."
  « Financé par le gouvernement du Canada. »
• "This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada."
  « Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada. »
• "With the participation of the Government of Canada."
  « Avec la participation du gouvernement du Canada. »
• "This project has been made possible [in part] by the Government of Canada."
  « Ce projet a été rendu possible [en partie] grâce au gouvernement du Canada. »
• "We acknowledge the [financial] support of the Government of Canada."
  « Nous reconnaissons l'appui [financier] du gouvernement du Canada. »

Examples of acknowledgement text accompanying the "Canada" wordmark in a bilingual publication

Examples of acknowledgement text accompanying the "Canada" wordmark in a publication available in English only

Examples of acknowledgement text accompanying the "Canada" wordmark in a publication available in French only

When more than one department or organization has provided support or there is insufficient space for a credit line, it is possible to use only the "Canada" wordmark ensuring it is in a prominent position.

Example of the use of the "Canada" wordmark when more than one organization has provided financial assistance

Equal acknowledgement

The "Canada" wordmark must receive the same prominence and proportion as the logos and identifiers of other funding parties who have made a similar contribution.

Acknowledgement in both official languages

Government of Canada support is acknowledged in English and French.

For bilingual publications, use the English-first version of the acknowledgement text when English appears first, and vice versa for the French.

Where printed material is produced in separate unilingual versions or in a bilingual flip format, the material presented in one official language should state that the material is available in the other official language, using words such as "Version française disponible." (Also avaiblable in English.) or "Français au verso." (English on reverse.).

Technical specifications for the "Canada" wordmark

To ensure the integrity of the "Canada" wordmark, some criteria must be applied. The wordmark may not be altered in any way. It is displayed prominently, in generous open space, free from close association with any interfering or distracting elements, and may not form part of a headline, phrase or sentence.

Visit the technical specifications page for details on displaying the "Canada" wordmark.

Printed materials, promotional items, clothing

You can use the "Canada" wordmark and, where space allows, the acknowledgement text on all printed or electronic documents, marketing materials, public reports, publications and media products related to the funded activities.

Where materials are online, the "Canada" wordmark will link to the Government of Canada website, at www.canada.ca, or a specific section of the canada.ca site identified in your grant or contribution agreement.

If the funded project is a publication of a book or a magazine, the acknowledgement must be prominently displayed in the masthead or an acknowledgement page at the front of the publication. If all the content of the funded publication is available in only one of the official languages, the acknowledgement text can be published in that language.

The "Canada" wordmark can also be included on uniforms or clothing related to the funded activities. The Department must pre-approve the use of the wordmark on clothing.

Example of the "Canada" wordmark included in print material

Example of the "Canada" wordmark featured on clothing

Social media

In order to allow the Department to share or retweet information about the funded project, recipients are asked to provide the address of all social media accounts (X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or others) in which they publish content related to the funded activities.

Recipients are also asked to follow Canadian Heritage on social media by subscribing to:

X (formerly known as Twitter): @CdnHeritage or @SportCanada_EN
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CdnHeritage

Press releases

Financial support from the Government of Canada must be acknowledged in all press releases that refer to funding sources for the funded activities. The Department provides a quote on request for inclusion in such news releases.

Websites and applications

The "Canada" wordmark must be displayed on all websites and applications (apps) related to the funded activities. Where materials are electronic, the wordmark must link to the Government of Canada's website, at www.canada.ca, or a specific section of the Canada.ca site identified in the agreement concluded between the Department and the recipient.

Advertisements and public service announcements

The "Canada" wordmark and, if possible, the acknowledgement text, are used when the logos of other sponsors, supporters or funding parties are displayed in advertisements and advertorials, including paid or free placements and public service announcements.

The Government of Canada must have an opportunity to include its own message if similar messaging is to be included by any other sponsor, supporter or funding party. Space allocated for such messaging will be at least of equal size, duration and prominence of that of any other sponsor, supporter or funding party who has made a similar contribution. The Department prepares these messages and provides the final artwork on request.

Photos and Videos

Your agreement could state that you must document your project using digital photographs or videos, or provide an on-camera interview. If this is the case, you must also include an authorization form (PDF file, 24 KB) and a perpetual, non-exclusive license (PDF file, 28 KB) to allow the Department to use these photographs and videos in printed publications or the Internet.

Photographs in an 8 by 10-inch format and a resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi) are acceptable.

Videos must be in MP4 format and not exceed 30 megabytes (Mb). Should you wish to do so, you may provide photos and videos even if this is not stated in your agreement.

Special events

Support from the Government of Canada must be acknowledged during public events such as, but not limited to championships, tournaments, conferences, trade shows, and stage productions which are included in an organization's operational budget as a line item to be funded either in whole, or in part by the Government of Canada.

If a Government of Canada representative is invited to attend a media event, the Department may provide appropriate acknowledgement signage to be used for backgrounds.

Verbal acknowledgement

Verbal acknowledgement of the Government of Canada's support takes place during any speaking opportunity at media events related to the funded activities.

Examples of verbal recognition:

"I would like to acknowledge the Government of Canada's support for (name of activity or event). I would also like to welcome (name of representative) to our event today."

« J'aimerais reconnaître l'appui du gouvernement du Canada dans le cadre de [nom de l'activité ou de l'événement]. Je souhaite la bienvenue à [nom du représentant] à notre événement aujourd'hui. »

Tickets and invitations

Where circumstances allow and if it stated in the grant or contribution agreement, the "Canada" wordmark is displayed on all event tickets and invitations, for example, as part of activities like opening, closing and welcoming ceremonies, receptions and other events.

In such cases, the "Canada" wordmark must be of at least equal size and prominence of those of any other sponsor, supporter or funding party who has made a similar contribution.

For questions on information provided in this guide or clauses stated in your grant or contribution agreement, please contact us.