Policy on Communications and Federal Identity

• 1.1This policy takes effect on May 11, 2016.
• 1.2 This policy replaces the following Treasury Board policies:
  • Communications Policy of the Government of Canada (August 1, 2006)
  • Federal Identity Program Policy (October 1, 1990)

• 2.1This policy is issued pursuant to section 7 of the Financial Administration Act.
• 2.2The President of the Treasury Board has the delegated authority to approve the use of the arms of Canada instead of the flag symbol in corporate signatures for institutions whose heads report directly to Parliament, as well as for institutions that have quasi-judicial functions.
• 2.3The Secretary of the Treasury Board has the delegated authority to amend and rescind the mandatory procedures related to this policy.

• 3.1This policy and its supporting instruments apply to departments and other portions of the federal public administration as set out in Schedules I, I.1 and II of the Financial Administration Act, unless excluded by specific acts, regulations or orders in council.
• 3.2The organizations listed below are not required to use the Canada wordmark and are not subject to requirements 6.1 and 6.5 of this policy:
  • Office of the Auditor General of Canada
  • Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
  • Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada
  • 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 of Canada

  The heads of these organizations are solely responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with this policy within their organizations.

• 4.1Communications are central to the Government of Canada’s work and contribute directly to the Canadian public’s trust in their government. The government communicates with the public in both official languages to inform Canadians of policies, programs, services and initiatives, and of Canadians’ rights and responsibilities under the law. The government also has a responsibility to communicate with Canadians to help protect their interests and well-being, and to promote Canada as a prosperous, diverse and welcoming country.
• 4.2The Government of Canada considers the views of Canadians when developing policies, programs, services and initiatives. In order to have an effective and open dialogue with an increasingly diverse Canadian public, the government uses innovative digital tools and online platforms.
• 4.3Government communications must be objective, factual, non-partisan, clear, and written in plain language. The communications function entails more than simply providing or receiving information. The way in which the government delivers its communications affects the value of the information, how it is received by the public, and the credibility of its source. Tailoring messages to specific audiences increases the impact of how the information is received.
• 4.4Canadians increasingly use technology to communicate in their daily lives, and expect to interact with the government in the same way. Using new communications approaches that stem from the rise of digital technologies, balanced with using traditional methods, enables the Government of Canada to reach and engage with Canadians effectively and efficiently in the official language of their choice, regardless of where they reside.
• 4.5The communications function is integral to developing, implementing and evaluating the government’s policies, programs, services and initiatives. The administration of communications is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration, support and cooperation of various personnel within individual departments, throughout government as a whole, and across the country.
• 4.6The corporate identity of the Government of Canada is managed through the Federal Identity Program (FIP). A unified federal identity that is applied consistently across all departments ensures that the public can easily recognize the Government of Canada and its programs, services, facilities, assets, activities and uniformed officials. FIP supports the principle of government accountability by clearly identifying areas of federal responsibility and the allocation of public funds.

Deputy heads are responsible for the following:

• 6.1Providing impartial advice and support to their minister, who is the principal spokesperson for the department, in communicating government policies, programs, priorities and decisions to the public;
• 6.2Designating a senior official as head of communications to manage communications and corporate identity;
• 6.3Enabling communications with the public about policies, programs, services and initiatives by ensuring that their department:
  • 6.3.1Provides timely, clear, objective, factual and non-partisan information;
  • 6.3.2Provides information in both official languages in accordance with the relevant sections of the Official Languages Act;
  • 6.3.3Considers the needs of official language minority communities in Canada;
  • 6.3.4Uses a variety of media and platforms to maximize reach, including seeking innovative ways to use technology;
  • 6.3.5Meets the requirements of the Standard on Web Accessibility and provides published information on request that is substantially equal for people with disabilities;
  • 6.3.6Considers the views and interests of the public when developing policies, programs, services and initiatives; and
  • 6.3.7Responds to information requests or inquiries from the public promptly without undue recourse to the Access to Information Act.
• 6.4Integrating communications into their department’s emergency preparedness and crisis management planning;
• 6.5Collaborating with other departments on government-wide communications activities and initiatives;
• 6.6Ensuring that all their department’s communications activities support the Government of Canada’s principles of open government and its practices;
• 6.7Approving annual advertising and public opinion research plans;
• 6.8Approving advertising during general federal elections: that is required by statute or regulation for legal purposes; to inform the public of a danger to health, safety or the environment; to post an employment or staffing notice; or to undertake specific advertising that is deemed urgent; and
• 6.9Championing open, transparent and collaborative communications within their departments to foster employee knowledge and awareness of departmental and government-wide priorities.

• 7.1For an outline of the consequences of non-compliance, refer to the Framework for the Management of Compliance (Appendix C: Consequences for Institutions and Appendix D: Consequences for Individuals).

The roles and responsibilities of other government organizations are set out in the Directive on the Management of Communications.

For answers to questions about this policy instrument, contact Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Public Enquiries.