Use of Government of Canada symbols

Canadian state symbols that the Government of Canada has communicated to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention may not be used by third parties without authorization of the Government of Canada. Visit the Global Affairs Canada website for information about the use of Government of Canada symbols abroad.

Procedures: use of federal government identifiers

In most cases, third parties making unauthorized use of Government of Canada symbols abroad will be:

• advised that the use of the Government of Canada symbols is not permitted without Government of Canada authorization
• informed of the steps that must be taken to apply for authorization
• asked to stop using the symbols until they have requested and received authorization for their use

Visa offices should communicate suspected unauthorized use of, to the Intellectual Property, Information and Technology Trade Policy Division (TMI) – GAC with copies to the International Region RIC and Program Integrity. GAC will coordinate the interdepartmental consultation process and provide the office with instructions on how to proceed. If the business address of the commercial venture is in Canada, notify the Federal Identity Program at Treasury Board of Canada.

Inform those interested in applying to use Government of Canada symbols that requests must be submitted to Canadian Heritage in writing and must include samples illustrating all intended uses of the symbols.

For more information:

Visit the Canadian Heritage website for information on national symbols and commercial use of symbols in Canada and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website for guidance on the use of logos under the Federal Identity Program.

For information on complaints about unauthorized use of Government of Canada symbols see:

• Legal Protection (Canada)
• Legal Protection (international)