Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity

Provides rules for managing and coordinating communications, including procedures for advertising, public opinion research, social media, external-facing websites and mobile applications.
Date modified: 2025-03-27

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1. Effective date

  • 1.1This directive takes effect on March 27, 2025.
  • 1.2This directive replaces the following Treasury Board policy instruments:
    • 1.2.1Directive on the Management of Communications, May 11, 2016.
    • 1.2.2Procedures for Publishing, June 1, 2013.
  • 1.3Transitional considerations:
    • 1.3.1Requirement 4.1.13 of this directive takes effect on March 27, 2026.

2. Authorities

  • 2.1This directive is issued pursuant to the same authorities indicated in section 2 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.

3. Objectives and expected results

  • 3.1The objectives indicated in section 3 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity apply to this directive.
  • 3.2The expected results indicated in section 3 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity apply to this directive.

4. Requirements

  • 4.1Heads of communications are responsible for the following:

    Managing and coordinating

    • 4.1.1Leading the communications and corporate identity function within the department.
    • 4.1.2Providing direction to departmental officials on communications and corporate identity.
    • 4.1.3Approving the most effective way to achieve communications objectives and to reach the intended target audiences.
    • 4.1.4Approving all communications plans, strategies and products for external audiences.
    • 4.1.5Monitoring and analyzing the public environment as it relates to policies, programs, services and initiatives.
    • 4.1.6Developing communications plans and procedures in preparation for emergency or crisis situations.
    • 4.1.7Providing internal communications support for department-wide priorities.
    • 4.1.8Collaborating with the Privy Council Office and other departments on all communications activities and initiatives that require input from multiple departments.
    • 4.1.9Collaborating with regional offices to ensure that communications objectives are met across the country.
    • 4.1.10Ensuring that the department does not sell advertising or publish advertisements from a non-government source in its communications products and activities.
    • 4.1.11Reviewing all departmental Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions to ensure that appropriate measures and adequate resources are recommended to meet planned communications objectives.
    • 4.1.12Ensuring that all communications products and activities do not endorse or provide an unfair competitive advantage, real or perceived, to any individual, organization or private sector enterprise.
    • 4.1.13Developing a strategy to manage misinformation and disinformation related to the mandate of the department.
    • 4.1.14Ensuring all communications resources are used only for the purposes of non-partisan and official Government of Canada communications.
    • 4.1.15Securing permission to reproduce, adapt, translate and publish third-party material.
    • 4.1.16Managing the administration and licensing of Crown copyright.
    • 4.1.17Ensuring that when the Government of Canada posts information about policies, programs, services and initiatives on official social media accounts or other third-party platforms, comparable information is also available on a Government of Canada website.
    • 4.1.18Ensuring that contracts for audio-visual services are issued by the Communications and Advertising Procurement Directorate at Public Services and Procurement Canada.

    Informing audiences

    • 4.1.19Ensuring that all communications products and activities are:
      • 4.1.19.1aligned with the government’s priorities, themes and objectives;
      • 4.1.19.2accurate;
      • 4.1.19.3non-partisan;
      • 4.1.19.4objective;
      • 4.1.19.5timely;
      • 4.1.19.6accessible;
      • 4.1.19.7written in a manner that is inclusive and in plain language;
      • 4.1.19.8available in English and French;
      • 4.1.19.9developed in a way that considers the information needs of:
        • 4.1.19.9.1English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada;
        • 4.1.19.9.2First Nations, Inuit and Métis; and
        • 4.1.19.9.3regional and rural populations, and multicultural communities;
      • 4.1.19.10cost-effective and provides value for money; and
      • 4.1.19.11communicated first through official Government of Canada channels.
    • 4.1.20Using the most appropriate communications tools and channels to achieve communications objectives and reach the intended target audiences.
    • 4.1.21Determining when communications products should also be made available in other languages in addition to English and French.

    Federal identity

    • 4.1.22Supporting the deputy head in administering the Federal Identity Program.
    • 4.1.23Using the applied title of the department or the title “Government of Canada” in all internal and external communications products and activities.
    • 4.1.24Instructing departmental officials to:
      • 4.1.24.1adhere to the Federal Identity Program in accordance with the Design Standard for the Federal Identity Program and the Federal Identity Program Manual;
      • 4.1.24.2use only versions of the official symbols of the Government of Canada that are based on the digital master files maintained by the Communications and Federal Identity Policy Centre at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat;
      • 4.1.24.3use the Canada wordmark with a corporate signature in all fields of application unless otherwise stipulated in the Design Standard for the Federal Identity Program or the Federal Identity Program Manual;
      • 4.1.24.4use the applied title of the department or “Government of Canada” in text format when use of the official symbols is not possible;
      • 4.1.24.5use the Government of Canada signature when:
        • 4.1.24.5.1two or more departments are involved, or
        • 4.1.24.5.2a department does not have an approved applied title;
      • 4.1.24.6display the official symbols prominently, free from other visual elements and visually conflicting backgrounds; and
      • 4.1.24.7present both official languages with equal prominence in the corporate identity of the department including using the same colour, style, size and type.
    • 4.1.25Approving the development and use of a creative approach to promote programs, commemorative events and other initiatives.

    Additional corporate identifiers

    • 4.1.26Seeking direction from the Communications and Federal Identity Policy Centre at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat when departmental officials are considering an additional corporate identifier.
    • 4.1.27Overseeing additional corporate identifiers that have been approved by Treasury Board by:
      • 4.1.27.1managing these identifiers throughout all stages of the lifecycle, including planning, implementation and disposal;
      • 4.1.27.2maintaining an inventory of these identifiers; and
      • 4.1.27.3ensuring that these identifiers are used as approved.
    • 4.1.28Developing a graphic standards manual that outlines how the additional corporate identifier will be used:
      • 4.1.28.1in all fields of application; and
      • 4.1.28.2with the corporate signature and the Canada wordmark.
    • 4.1.29Ensuring graphic standards manuals for additional corporate identifiers have been approved by the Communications and Federal Identity Policy Centre at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat prior to use.

    Specialized symbols

    • 4.1.30Confirming with the Communications and Federal Identity Policy Centre at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat that the proposed specialized symbols align with the definition.
    • 4.1.31Approving the adoption of specialized symbols.
    • 4.1.32Developing a graphic standards manual that outlines how the specialized symbol will be used:
      • 4.1.32.1in all communications products and activities; and
      • 4.1.32.2with the corporate signature and the Canada wordmark.
    • 4.1.33Ensuring graphic standards manuals for specialized symbols have been approved by the Communications and Federal Identity Policy Centre at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat prior to use.
    • 4.1.34Overseeing the use of specialized symbols by:
      • 4.1.34.1managing these symbols throughout all stages of the lifecycle, including planning, approval, implementation and disposal;
      • 4.1.34.2maintaining an inventory of approved specialized symbols; and
      • 4.1.34.3ensuring that these symbols are used as intended in all communications products and activities.

    Social media

    • 4.1.35Overseeing departmental social media presence including:
      • 4.1.35.1approving the departmental social media strategy;
      • 4.1.35.2approving all official social media accounts;
      • 4.1.35.3approving content posted on official social media accounts;
      • 4.1.35.4ensuring that the official social media management tools administered by Service Canada are used for:
        • 4.1.35.4.1managing official social media accounts; and
        • 4.1.35.4.2collecting analytics.
    • 4.1.36Ensuring that all official social media accounts do not follow, share, tag or link to the personal or political social media accounts of ministers, members of Parliament or senators.

    Websites

    • 4.1.37Overseeing the content and corporate identity of external-facing departmental websites.
    • 4.1.38Ensuring that external-facing departmental websites:
      • 4.1.38.1adhere to Appendix D: Standard on External-facing Websites and Mobile Applications; and
      • 4.1.38.2use the official web analytics tool administered by Service Canada.

    Mobile applications

    • 4.1.39Overseeing the corporate identity of mobile applications.
    • 4.1.40Ensuring that mobile applications adhere to Appendix D: Standard on External-facing Websites and Mobile Applications.

    Advertising

    • 4.1.41Leading the process for the annual advertising plan.
    • 4.1.42Submitting the annual advertising plan to the deputy head for approval.
    • 4.1.43Adhering to the principles of the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards.
    • 4.1.44Complying with the oversight mechanism for non-partisan advertising.
    • 4.1.45Ensuring that all initiatives that require parliamentary approval or trade deals that require ratification are not advertised until such approval has been received.
    • 4.1.46Determining when advertising that has a total media buy not exceeding $40,000 can be purchased directly from media outlets in compliance with Section 6 of the Government Contracts Regulations.

    Partnering and sponsorships

    • 4.1.47Reviewing all partnering and sponsorship arrangements and agreements to provide communications and corporate identity advice.
    • 4.1.48Ensuring all partnering and sponsorship arrangements do not:
      • 4.1.48.1focus primarily on advertising or paid efforts involving the media; or
      • 4.1.48.2promote or advertise the commercial goods or services of partners or sponsors.
    • 4.1.49Ensuring all partnering and sponsorship agreements outline:
      • 4.1.49.1communications roles and responsibilities of all parties;
      • 4.1.49.2corporate identity requirements; and
      • 4.1.49.3official language requirements.

    Media spokespersons

    • 4.1.50Designating and authorizing media spokespersons to communicate with the media in an official capacity on behalf of the department.
    • 4.1.51Providing media training to designated spokespersons, as needed.
    • 4.1.52Instructing designated media spokespersons when speaking on the record for public attribution to:
      • 4.1.52.1identify themselves by name and position; and
      • 4.1.52.2confine remarks to facts concerning policies, programs, services or initiatives.
    • 4.1.53Informing designated media spokespersons of their obligation to respect:
      • 4.1.53.1privacy rights;
      • 4.1.53.2security needs;
      • 4.1.53.3matters before the courts;
      • 4.1.53.4government laws, regulations and policies;
      • 4.1.53.5Cabinet confidences and ministerial responsibilities; and
      • 4.1.53.6Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
    • 4.1.54Engaging with the news media to promote awareness and understanding about government policies, programs, services and initiatives.

    Publications

    • 4.1.55Instructing departmental officials of their obligation to adhere to the criteria as prescribed by the Government of Canada Publications Directorate at Public Services and Procurement Canada.
    • 4.1.56Ensuring an index of all publications including electronic, free, priced and co-publications is:
    • 4.1.57Obtaining from the Government of Canada Publications Directorate at Public Services and Procurement Canada:
      • 4.1.57.1an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), if applicable; and
      • 4.1.57.2a Government of Canada Catalogue Number.
    • 4.1.58Obtaining from Library and Archives Canada an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) for journals and other serial publications.
    • 4.1.59Providing all publications to the Government of Canada Publications Directorate at Public Services and Procurement Canada in:
      • 4.1.59.1an HTML format;
      • 4.1.59.2a portable format;
      • 4.1.59.3both official languages; and
      • 4.1.59.4any other available languages.
    • 4.1.60Providing the Legal Deposit Unit at Library and Archives Canada with copies of any tangible publications that have been created, in all available editions and language versions.

    Printed products

    • 4.1.61Ensuring communications products are printed based on demand.

    Promotional items

    • 4.1.62Approving the development, production, acquisition, distribution and use of promotional items.

    Public opinion research

    • 4.1.63Leading the process for the annual public opinion research plan for all contracted and significant non-contracted projects.
    • 4.1.64Ensuring that all contracted and significant non-contracted public opinion research projects align with the mandate of the department.
    • 4.1.65Submitting the public opinion research annual plan and any unanticipated public opinion research projects to the deputy head for approval.
    • 4.1.66Ensuring that resources are not used for public opinion research activities to determine:
      • 4.1.66.1electoral voting intentions;
      • 4.1.66.2political party preferences;
      • 4.1.66.3party standings with the electorate; or
      • 4.1.66.4ratings of the performance of a political party or its leader.

    Consultations

    • 4.1.67Providing communications advice at all stages of consultation projects.

    Federal elections

    • 4.1.68Suspending all advertising and public opinion research activities on:
      • 4.1.68.1the day that the Governor in Council issues a writ for a general federal election, or
      • 4.1.68.2June 30 in a year in which there is a fixed general federal election date.
    • 4.1.69Ensuring that all advertising and public opinion research activities that have been suspended during a general federal election do not resume until the newly elected government is sworn into office.
    • 4.1.70Obtaining deputy head approval during a general federal election for select advertising and public opinion research activities listed in requirements 4.1.10 and 4.1.11 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.

Functional specialists

  • 4.2Functional specialists involved in communications products and activities or those who manage activities involving the Federal Identity Program are responsible for:
    • 4.2.1Supporting the head of communications in complying with the communications and federal identity policy requirements.
    • 4.2.2Identifying all policy compliance issues to the head of communications.

Subject-matter experts

  • 4.3Departmental subject-matter experts are responsible for the following when speaking in a work capacity and on the record for public attribution:
    • 4.3.1Identifying themselves by name and position.
    • 4.3.2Addressing remarks to areas for which they have responsibility and expertise.
    • 4.3.3Respecting:
      • 4.3.3.1privacy rights;
      • 4.3.3.2security needs;
      • 4.3.3.3matters before the courts;
      • 4.3.3.4government laws, regulations and policies;
      • 4.3.3.5Cabinet confidences and ministerial responsibilities; and
      • 4.3.3.6Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.

5. Roles of other government organizations

  • 5.1The roles of other government organizations in relation to this directive are described in section 5 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.

6. Application

  • 6.1This directive applies to the organizations described in section 6 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.
  • 6.2The heads of the following organizations are solely responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with this policy within their organizations:
    • Office of the Auditor General of Canada
    • Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
    • Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada
    • Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
    • Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada
    • Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners
    • Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada
  • 6.3The organizations listed in 6.2 are not required to use the Canada wordmark.
  • 6.4The requirements below do not apply to the organizations listed in 6.2:
    • Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity: 4.1.8, 4.1.19.1, 4.1.24.3, 4.1.24.5.1, 4.1.26, 4.1.28 to 4.1.30, 4.1.32, 4.1.33, 4.1.35.4, 4.1.38, 4.1.40, and 4.1.44
    • Appendix A: Mandatory Procedures for Advertising: A.2.2.4 to A.2.2.10, A.2.2.12, A.2.2.14 to A.2.2.17, A.2.2.19, A.2.2.22, A.2.2.24, and A.2.2.27 to A.2.2.29
    • Appendix B: Mandatory Procedures for Public Opinion Research: B.2.2.4, B.2.2.6 to B.2.2.15
    • Appendix C: Standard on Managing Official Social Media Accounts: C.2.2.2 and C.2.2.3
    • Appendix D: Standard on External-facing Websites and Mobile Applications: D.2.2.1 to D.2.2.3
  • 6.5The following requirements are not mandatory for departments that have not migrated their external-facing websites to the Canada.ca content management tool:
    • 4.1.38.2 of the Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity
    • D.2.2.2.1 of Appendix D: Standard on External-facing Websites and Mobile Applications

7. References

  • 7.1References in relation to this directive are described in section 8 of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.

8. Enquiries

Appendix A: Mandatory Procedures for Advertising

A.1 Effective date

  • A.1.1These procedures take effect on March 27, 2025.
  • A.1.2These procedures replace the Mandatory Procedures for Advertising, May 11, 2016.

A.2 Procedures

  • A.2.1These procedures provide details on the requirements set out in subsections 4.1.41 to 4.1.46 of the Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity.
  • A.2.2Mandatory procedures are as follows:

    Developing the annual advertising plan

    • A.2.2.1Engage with departmental officials to determine advertising needs.
    • A.2.2.2Develop the departmental annual advertising plan.
    • A.2.2.3Submit the annual advertising plan to head of communications for review.

    Planning and coordinating

    • A.2.2.4Confirm with Advertising Services Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada to determine whether the initiative falls within the definition of advertising.
    • A.2.2.5Consult with the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office when planning advertising activities.
    • A.2.2.6Consult with Global Affairs Canada when planning to advertise in foreign markets.
    • A.2.2.7Establish performance indicators for advertising campaigns as prescribed by the Privy Council Office.
    • A.2.2.8Provide results based on the performance indicators to the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.

    Contracting advertising activities

    • A.2.2.9Engage with the Communications and Advertising Procurement Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada to undertake procurement of the advertising activity, unless otherwise stipulated in 4.1.46 of the Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity, including:
      • A.2.2.9.1media planning;
      • A.2.2.9.2creative testing;
      • A.2.2.9.3creative production;
      • A.2.2.9.4media placement; and
      • A.2.2.9.5campaign evaluation.
    • A.2.2.10Collaborate with the Advertising Services Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada to:
      • A.2.2.10.1develop the statement of work; and
      • A.2.2.10.2obtain the project registration number before the contract is awarded.
    • A.2.2.11Manage the advertising contract after it has been awarded.
    • A.2.2.12Inform the Advertising Services Directorate and Communications and Advertising Procurement Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada of any changes or amendments to the:
      • A.2.2.12.1scope of work;
      • A.2.2.12.2contract; and
      • A.2.2.12.3media buy strategy.

    Producing advertising creatives and media planning

    • A.2.2.13Consider the needs and interests, as applicable, of:
      • A.2.2.13.1First Nations, Inuit and Métis;
      • A.2.2.13.2English and French linguistic minority communities; and
      • A.2.2.13.3ethnocultural communities.
    • A.2.2.14Comply with the non-partisan advertising oversight mechanism.
    • A.2.2.15Submit the following to the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office for review:
      • A.2.2.15.1draft creative elements; and
      • A.2.2.15.2media buy strategies and plans.
    • A.2.2.16Submit the following to the Advertising Services Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada to confirm compliance with legislative and policy requirements:
      • A.2.2.16.1draft creative elements; and
      • A.2.2.16.2media buy strategies and plans.
    • A.2.2.17Obtain the authorization (ADV) number from the Advertising Services Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada.

    Direct media purchases for media buys that do not exceed $40,000

    • A.2.2.18Seek approval from the head of communications to purchase media space directly from media outlets for advertising initiatives that have a total media buy not exceeding $40,000.

    Advertising Management Information System

    • A.2.2.19Record information on all advertising activities in the Advertising Management Information System (AdMIS).

    Testing creatives for an advertising campaign with a media buy over $1 million

    • A.2.2.20Collaborate with departmental public opinion research officials to add the advertising creative testing to the annual public opinion research plan.
    • A.2.2.21Confirm that the creative testing has been included on the approved annual public opinion research plan.
    • A.2.2.22Develop the plan for creative testing in collaboration with:
      • A.2.2.22.1the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office; and
      • A.2.2.22.2the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada.
    • A.2.2.23Conduct the creative testing in collaboration with departmental public opinion research officials.
    • A.2.2.24Provide creative testing research results to the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.

    Evaluating an advertising campaign with a media buy over $2 million

    • A.2.2.25Collaborate with departmental public opinion research officials to add the campaign evaluation to the annual public opinion research plan.
    • A.2.2.26Confirm that the campaign evaluation has been approved as part of the annual public opinion research plan.
    • A.2.2.27Develop the evaluation plan in collaboration with:
      • A.2.2.27.1the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office; and
      • A.2.2.27.2the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada.
    • A.2.2.28Conduct the evaluation of the advertising campaign in collaboration with departmental public opinion research officials:
      • A.2.2.28.1using the Advertising Campaign Evaluation Tool (ACET) as prescribed by the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.
    • A.2.2.29Provide research results of the campaign evaluation to the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.

Appendix B: Mandatory Procedures for Public Opinion Research

B.1 Effective date

  • B.1.1These procedures take effect on March 27, 2025.
  • B.1.2These procedures replace the Mandatory Procedures for Public Opinion Research, May 11, 2016.

B.2 Procedures

  • B.2.1These procedures provide details on the requirements set out in subsections 4.1.63 to 4.1.66 of the Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity.
  • B.2.2Mandatory procedures are as follows:

    Developing the Annual Public Opinion Research Plan

    • B.2.2.1Engage with departmental officials to determine public opinion research needs.
    • B.2.2.2Develop the annual public opinion research plan.
    • B.2.2.3Include in the annual public opinion research plan:
      • B.2.2.3.1a description of each public opinion research project, including the objective and the intended use of the results;
      • B.2.2.3.2the total contract value, if applicable, including taxes;
      • B.2.2.3.3whether the project will be undertaken by multiple departments;
      • B.2.2.3.4whether a project will be carried out over more than 1 fiscal year;
      • B.2.2.3.5planned creative testing for advertising campaigns with media buys over $1 million; and
      • B.2.2.3.6planned evaluation of advertising campaigns with media buys over $2 million.
    • B.2.2.4Coordinate the annual public opinion research plan and any amendments, as well as any unanticipated public opinion research projects not included in the plan with: 
      • B.2.2.4.1the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada; and
      • B.2.2.4.2the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.
    • B.2.2.5 Submit the annual public opinion research plan to the head of communications for review.
    • B.2.2.6 Submit, for information, the approved annual public opinion research plan to:
      • B.2.2.6.1the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada; and
      • B.2.2.6.2the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.

    Planning Public Opinion Research projects

    • B.2.2.7Coordinate the planning of contracted public opinion research projects with:
      • B.2.2.7.1the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada; and
      • B.2.2.7.2the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office.
    • B.2.2.8Consult with the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada:
      • B.2.2.8.1before initiating procurement; and
      • B.2.2.8.2to obtain project registration numbers before contracts are awarded.
    • B.2.2.9Collaborate with the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada to develop statements of work.
    • B.2.2.10 Coordinate all procurement for public opinion research projects with the Communications and Advertising Procurement Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada.
    • B.2.2.11Inform the Public Opinion Research Directorate and the Communications and Advertising Procurement Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada before initiating any changes to the contract.
    • B.2.2.12Submit the following documentation for contracted public opinion research projects to the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada:
      • B.2.2.12.1estimates;
      • B.2.2.12.2contracts;
      • B.2.2.12.3justification of the choice of supplier;
      • B.2.2.12.4amendments to contracts;
      • B.2.2.12.5information on contract values;
      • B.2.2.12.6information on the intended use of the research; and
      • B.2.2.12.7the dates of data collection.

    Conducting

    • B.2.2.13Consult with the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada before conducting the research.
    • B.2.2.14Provide, on request, research instruments, analysis plans, survey data, data tables, reports and status updates to the Communications and Consultations Secretariat of Privy Council Office for review.
    • B.2.2.15Provide draft research instruments of contracted public opinion research projects to the Public Opinion Research Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada for review.

    Reporting

    • B.2.2.16Ensure that reports for all contracted public opinion research projects comply with the Public Opinion Research Contract Regulations.
    • B.2.2.17Ensure that executive summaries in reports for contracted public opinion research projects outline:
      • B.2.2.17.1how results are expected to be used; and 
      • B.2.2.17.2the total contract value.
    • B.2.2.18Provide to Library and Archives Canada separate electronic copies in English and French of final reports for all contracted public opinion research projects within 6 months after the completion of any data collection.

Appendix C: Standard on Managing Official Social Media Accounts

C.1 Effective date

  • C.1.1This standard takes effect on March 27, 2025.
  • C.1.2This standard replaces the Mandatory Procedures for Social Media and Web Communications, May 11, 2016.

C.2 Standards

  • C.2.1This standard provides details on the requirements set out in subsections 4.1.35 to 4.1.36 of the Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity.
  • C.2.2Standards are as follows:
    • C.2.2.1Seek the approval of the head of communications to create all official social media accounts.
    • C.2.2.2Adhere to the Prescribed Processes for Official Social Media Accounts (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) outlined by Service Canada.
    • C.2.2.3Use the official social media management tool administered by Service Canada:
      • C.2.2.3.1to manage official social media accounts; and
      • C.2.2.3.2to collect social media analytics to evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of content.
    • C.2.2.4Include a link to a social media notice from the official social media account profile.
    • C.2.2.5Manage official social media accounts throughout all stages of the life cycle, from planning to disposal.

Appendix D: Standard on External-facing Websites and Mobile Applications

D.1 Effective date

  • D.1.1This standard takes effect on March 27, 2025.
  • D.1.2This standard replaces the Mandatory Procedures for Social Media and Web Communications, May 11, 2016.

D.2 Standards

  • D.2.1This standard provides details on the requirements set out in subsections 4.1.37 to 4.1.40 of the Directive on the Management of Communications and Federal Identity.
  • D.2.2Standards are as follows:

    External-facing websites

    • D.2.2.1Prepare external-facing websites in accordance with the Canada.ca Specifications.
    • D.2.2.2Evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of external-facing web content:
      • D.2.2.2.1using data collected by the official web analytics tool of the Government of Canada.

    Mobile applications

    • D.2.2.3Follow the prescribed processes for mobile applications outlined by Service Canada.

Appendix E: Definitions

Definitions to be used in the interpretation of this directive can be found in Appendix A of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the President of the Treasury Board, 2017,
ISBN: 978-0-660-09703-9

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