Federal visibility guidelines for funding recipients and partners of FedDev Ontario
Table of contents
- Visibility and funding acknowledgement guidelines
- General requirements
- How to acknowledge FedDev Ontario funding
- How to apply acknowledgement materials to communications products
- Access acknowledgement materials
- Visual specifications
- How to request approval to use acknowledgement materials
- Contact FedDev Ontario
Visibility and funding acknowledgement guidelines
In line with the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, these guidelines provide direction for the use of FedDev Ontario's acknowledgement graphics and the Canada wordmark and outline expectations for acknowledgement of projects and activities funded by the Agency.
General requirements
When recipients share information publicly about a FedDev Ontario-funded project, they must acknowledge Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Government of Canada funding must be acknowledged in all communications products related to the funded project for the period covered by the Contribution Agreement and up to 12 months following the end date.
This acknowledgement must appear on/in websites, social media posts, news releases, videos, printed or electronic documents, marketing materials, public reports, publications and all other communications products related to the funded project. Verbal acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario's support should occur during speaking opportunities at public events related to the funded project.
While bilingual acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario's support is preferred, under certain circumstances it is acceptable to use an acknowledgement in the first official language of the community where the project is located.
Recipients must submit project-related communications products to the Agency for approval before sharing publicly. Recipients may be asked to exclude or remove FedDev Ontario funding acknowledgements from their communications products at FedDev Ontario's discretion.
How to acknowledge FedDev Ontario funding
When FedDev Ontario is the only provider of Government of Canada funding or support:
- Feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic according to the specific requirements for the type of communications product being developed and, where possible, link it to FedDev Ontario's bilingual intro page. Ensure the appropriate official language comes first.
- Include a written acknowledgement of funding with a link to FedDev Ontario's website in bodies of text, such as a news release, article, video description and/or web content featuring the funded project.
- Where legibility or accessibility is an issue (such as in social media graphics), the Canada wordmark must be used instead of FedDev Ontario's acknowledgement graphic.
When there are multiple providers of Government of Canada funding or support:
- Feature the Canada wordmark according to the specific requirements for the type of communications product being developed and, where possible, link it to www.canada.ca.
- When possible and/or appropriate, include written acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario funding in the supporting text or description for the communications product and link the Agency's name to FedDev Ontario's website.
When there are multi-level funding providers, including private sector organizations:
- Feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic or the Canada wordmark according to the specific requirements for the type of communications product being developed and, where possible, include the appropriate linking.
- Include a written acknowledgement and a link to FedDev Ontario's website in the supporting text or description for the communications product.
How to apply acknowledgement materials to communications products
Websites, digital graphics or other electronic applications:
- Feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic when FedDev Ontario is the only provider of Government of Canada funding and when space permits. The acknowledgement graphic must be linked to FedDev Ontario's bilingual intro page, where possible, and applied in accordance with visual specifications.
- Feature the Canada wordmark when acknowledging multiple federal funding providers, multi-level funding providers (as determined) or where space is limited. The federal identifier must be appropriately linked and applied in accordance with visual specifications.
- Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.
Social media:
- Tag FedDev Ontario's social media accounts when posting about FedDev Ontario-supported projects or programs.
- Graphics developed for posting on social media platforms can use the Canada wordmark, when appropriate, for legibility and accessibility reasons.
- Include funding acknowledgement text and a link to FedDev Ontario's website in the post description, if possible.
- Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.
Recipients are asked to tag FedDev Ontario and follow our social media accounts:
- Twitter: @FedDevOntario (EN); @FedDev_Ontario (FR)
- Instagram: @FedDevOntario (EN); @FedDev_Ontario (FR)
- Linkedin: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Facebook: @FedDevOntario
Videos:
- Feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic at the end of the video for at least three seconds. When acknowledging multiple federal funders or multi-level funding providers (as determined) or where space is limited, the Canada wordmark can be used instead.
- Apply graphics in accordance with visual specifications.
- Include funding acknowledgement text in the video's description with a link to FedDev Ontario's website.
- Tag FedDev Ontario's social media accounts when posting videos to social media platforms.
- Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.
Print publications (magazines, newsletters, brochures, etc.):
- Feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic in an appropriate section of the print publication, as determined.
- Feature the Canada wordmark when acknowledging multiple federal funding providers, multi-level funding providers (as determined) or when legibility or accessibility issues exist.
- Apply funding acknowledgement materials in accordance with visual specifications.
- Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.
Physical project signage:
- Physical signage may be requested for projects receiving FedDev Ontario funding.
- It is preferred to feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic when a physical project sign is produced.
- Feature the Canada wordmark when acknowledging multiple federal funding providers, multi-level funding providers (as determined) or when legibility or accessibility issues exist.
- Apply funding acknowledgement materials in accordance with visual specifications.
- Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.
News releases:
- News releases related to a funded project, including projects carried out by Ultimate Recipients or along with other funding providers, must include acknowledgement of financial support for the project from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), with the included link.
- News releases can include the Canada wordmark when appropriate and if the design permits.
- News releases that are intended for public display or for sharing with media must be submitted to FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca for approval and copied to the FedDev Ontario Communications Advisor and Program Officer assigned to the project, providing 10 business days for review.
- If other funding providers are permitted to include a message or quote(s) related to the project, the Government of Canada must have an opportunity to include its own message of similar size, quantity, duration and prominence. FedDev Ontario will prepare these messages and provide the final edit, including quotes from a federal representative(s) upon request.
Events:
- Support from FedDev Ontario must be acknowledged during public events related to the funded project. These events include, but are not limited to, project announcements and milestone celebrations.
- The Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, or an appointed delegate, must be given the opportunity to participate in these types of public events. A minimum of 15 days' notice must be given to the FedDev Ontario Communications Branch to inform the Minister's office prior to the event.
- When planning an event, recipients should contact FedDev Ontario using the FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca, copying the Communications Advisor and Programs Officer assigned to the project.
- When a Minister or an appointed delegate participates in a virtual event, FedDev Ontario's Communications Branch may provide support and appropriate acknowledgement options.
- When a Minister or an appointed delegate participates in an in-person event, FedDev Ontario's Communications Branch may provide on-site support and appropriate backdrop signage.
Verbal acknowledgements:
- Include a verbal acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario's support during any speaking opportunity at public events related to the funded project. Below is an example of a verbal acknowledgement.
"I would like to acknowledge the Government of Canada's support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario for (name of activity or event). I would also like to welcome (name of representative) to our event today."
Access acknowledgement materials
Funding acknowledgement graphic options:
Horizontal orientation:
Vertical orientation:
Download funding acknowledgement graphics
| Orientation | Colour | Black | White | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | French | English | French | English | French | ||
| Bilingual | Horizontal | ||||||
| Vertical | |||||||
| Monolingual | Horizontal | ||||||
| Vertical | |||||||
Funding acknowledgement text
The following funding acknowledgement text options may be used within large bodies of text, such as news releases or blogs:
Option 1: Preferred option
"This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)."
Option 2:
"We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Option 3:
"This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)."
Canada wordmark
Download Canada wordmark graphics
Example application:
Visual specifications
Acceptable colour variations:
- Official full-colour (red and black).
- Black text on white background.
- White text on dark/black background.
Official colour palette
| Red: #ed2e39 | Black: #000000 | White: #FFFFFF |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Visual criteria:
- The acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark must be displayed in generous open space, free from close association with interfering or distracting elements.
- The acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark cannot be used in a headline, phrase or sentence.
- Full-colour versions should be used when a colour printing process or colour advertising product is selected.
- The smallest text in the acknowledgement graphic must be legible when the product is viewed at 100 percent full size (applies to both print and digital).
Things to avoid:
- Adjusting or repositioning any aspect of the acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark.
- Text and font type replacements.
- Skewing, distorting or rotating the acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark (always lock aspect ratio to scale proportionally).
- Changing or adding any colour outside of official colour palette.
- Placing acknowledgement graphic, text or Canada wordmark over busy images or coloured backgrounds with a low contrast ratio.
How to request approval to use acknowledgement materials:
- All funding acknowledgements and use of federal identifiers must be approved by FedDev Ontario's Communications Branch.
- Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca to request approval and copy the FedDev Ontario Communications Advisor and Program Officer responsible for your project.
- In the subject line of the email, please include the project number, business/organization name and item for review.
- Include all products submitted for approval as links or attachments with a brief explanation, if required. If you are submitting an item for approval that may require an edit, such as a news release, it must be attached as a word document.
- All attachments submitted for review must be clearly named, including the project number and business/organization name.
- All visibility requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Please allow 10 business days for the Communications Branch to approve your communications products.
Contact FedDev Ontario
For additional information on the Government of Canada's Federal Identity Program and/or the use of Agency funding acknowledgement materials, email FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca. Please make sure to copy your Communications Advisor and Program Officer on all email requests.