Media Relations Product Specifications

The following are information and guidelines for applying the Department's corporate symbols to news releases, backgrounders, media advisories and other communications products aimed at journalists and other news media professionals.

In accordance with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's "no-frills" communication guidelines, federal departments and agencies must use standard templates for news releases, backgrounders and media advisories when making announcements to the media, and standard kit folders when distributing background information to the media or at public events. The standards prescribe shape, size, layout, colour, typography and symbol use, and must be strictly followed. The templates are available from Communications and Marketing Branch.

The Government of Canada FIP signature and "Canada" wordmark are the only symbols you may use on such items; no other graphic elements or embellishments are permitted (see example below). See Planning Information Products: Effective, No-Frills Publishing Practices for more information.

When the Department makes a media announcement in collaboration with a non-federal organization, standard templates may be modified or replaced so that all partners are identified fairly. Contact Communications and Marketing Branch for advice.

Example