Sample Notices

Web functional specialists are responsible for ensuring that the terms and conditions are up-to-date for the department's websites and Web applications. Sample notices are provided to facilitate compliance to the Standard on Web Usability. They can be modified depending on each departments' context and content (unless otherwise noted).

Global Notices:
Terms and Conditions

The requirements described in Appendix C of the Standard on Web Usability ensure that departments provide notices on their websites and Web applications that inform users about their rights, responsibilities and legal obligations, as well as those of the department providing the website or Web application.

The global notices are available to users by selecting the "Terms and conditions" ("Avis") link from any Government of Canada Web page.

Privacy notice

Departments must include a Privacy Notice informing users that information automatically acquired through a visit to any Government of Canada website or Web application will not be used other than for the express purposes of Web maintenance, analytics and security.

Third-party server notice

Departments must include a Third-party Server Notice Third-party Server Notice informing users that certain files may be delivered automatically to their browser.

Official languages notice

Departments must include an Official Languages Notice informing users of their official languages rights when receiving services from or communicating with the Government of Canada.

Hyperlinking notice

Departments must include a Hyperlinking Notice informing users that links to websites and Web applications not under the control of Government of Canada are provided solely for convenience of users.

Copyright / Permission to reproduce notices

Departments must include a Copyright / Permission to reproduce notices informing users of content ownership and the conditions associated with reproduction of materials posted on Government of Canada websites and Web applications.

Accessibility Notice

Departments must include an Accessibility Notice informing users that all efforts have been made to achieve a high level of accessibility.

Social Media Notice

Departments must include an Social Media Notice Social Media Notice informing users of their rights and obligations when interacting with the Government of Canada via social media, as well as what they should expect from Government of Canada social media accounts.

Web Page Notices:
In Context

The requirements described in Appendix D of the Standard on Web Usability ensure that departments provide context sensitive notices that inform users about their rights, responsibilities and legal obligations, as well as those of the department providing the website or Web application.

The context sensitive notices are available to users where required.

Personal Information Collection Statement

A Personal Information Collection Statement informs users that personally identifiable information will be collected. Please consult with the office of primary interest and your department's Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator for inquiries regarding privacy notices. Privacy notices will vary for each authorized program or activity of a department.

Third-party information liability disclaimer

Departments are encouraged to link to third-party content, rather than host it on their website, where appropriate. However, in cases such as public consultations, where content is published on your website by sources other than the Government of Canada, a third-party information liability disclaimer must be provided on the page containing or linking to the content provided by the third party.

Crown copyright symbol

In circumstances where the Crown copyright symbol is deemed necessary, use one of the following formats:

  • © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, [year]
  • © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of [legal name of department], [year]
  • © [legal title of department], [year]
Language notice

When linking to Web content that is only available in one official language, include the following text after the hyperlink:

  • (French only) – on an English page linking to a French page
  • (anglais seulement) – on a French page linking to an English page.

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