Federal Identity Program
Encyclopedia
The Federal Identity Program (FIP) is the Canadian
government
's corporate identity
program. The purpose of the FIP is to clearly identify each program and service of the government or the government of Canada
in general. Managed by the Treasury Board Secretariat
, this program, and the government's communication policy, help to shape the public image of the government. In general, logo
s – or, in the parlance of the policy, visual identifiers – used by government departments other than those specified in the FIP must be approved by the Treasury Board.
In 1969, the Official Languages Act
was established to ensure the equality of English
and French
in all federal jurisdictions. That same year, a task force found that the Canadian government was conveying a confused image to the populace through a hodge-podge of symbol
ogy and typefaces (fonts)
. In 1970, the FIP was created to standardize a corporate identity for the Canadian government.
, forms
, vehicular
markings, signage, advertising
, published material
, electronic communications
, audio-visual
productions, exposition
s, person
nel identification, award
s, plaque
s, packaging, buildings, label
ling, and identification of equipment.
titles, all of which are rendered consistently.
The Canada wordmark
is mandatory on virtually all of the applications mentioned above. Established in 1980, the Canada wordmark is essentially a logo for the government of Canada: it consists of the word "Canada" written in a serif
font, a modified version of Baskerville
, with a Canadian flag
over the final 'a
'. In a 1999 study commissioned by the federal government, 77% of respondents remembered seeing the Canada wordmark at some point in the past. Due to the logo's simplicity and pervasiveness as an identifier, it is likely more had seen it and forgotten. Television viewers may be familiar with the logo from seeing it in the credits of Canadian television programs, where it is used to indicate government funding or tax credits.
title and one of two symbol
s. The title is rendered in one of three typefaces of the sans serif Helvetica
family, selected for its simplicity and modernity.
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
's corporate identity
Corporate identity
In Corporate Communications, a corporate identity is the "persona" of a corporation which is designed to accord with and facilitate the attainment of business objectives...
program. The purpose of the FIP is to clearly identify each program and service of the government or the government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
in general. Managed by the Treasury Board Secretariat
Treasury Board Secretariat
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is the administrative branch of the Treasury Board of Canada. The role of the secretariat is to support the Treasury Board as a committee of ministers, and to fulfill the statutory responsibilities of a central government agency...
, this program, and the government's communication policy, help to shape the public image of the government. In general, logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
s – or, in the parlance of the policy, visual identifiers – used by government departments other than those specified in the FIP must be approved by the Treasury Board.
In 1969, the Official Languages Act
Official Languages Act
Official Language Act or Official Languages Act may refer to:* the Official Languages Act passed in Canada to enshrine official bilingualism* the Official Language Act passed in Quebec to ensure that French retained its primary status...
was established to ensure the equality of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
in all federal jurisdictions. That same year, a task force found that the Canadian government was conveying a confused image to the populace through a hodge-podge of symbol
Symbol
A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for...
ogy and typefaces (fonts)
Typeface
In typography, a typeface is the artistic representation or interpretation of characters; it is the way the type looks. Each type is designed and there are thousands of different typefaces in existence, with new ones being developed constantly....
. In 1970, the FIP was created to standardize a corporate identity for the Canadian government.
Applications
The Federal Identity Program covers approximately 160 institutions and over 20,000 facilities across Canada and worldwide. Among the applications are stationeryStationery
Stationery has historically meant a wide gamut of materials: paper and office supplies, writing implements, greeting cards, glue, pencil case etc.-History of stationery:...
, forms
Form (document)
A form is a document with spaces in which to write or select, for a series of documents with similar contents. The documents usually have the printed parts in common, possibly except for a serial number...
, vehicular
Vehicle
A vehicle is a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo. Most often vehicles are manufactured, such as bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, boats, and aircraft....
markings, signage, advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
, published material
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
, electronic communications
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
, audio-visual
Audio-visual
The term Audio-Visual may refer to works with both a sound and a visual component, the production or use of such works, or to equipment used to create and present such works...
productions, exposition
Trade fair
A trade fair is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities...
s, person
Person
A person is a human being, or an entity that has certain capacities or attributes strongly associated with being human , for example in a particular moral or legal context...
nel identification, award
Award
An award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
s, plaque
Commemorative plaque
A commemorative plaque, or simply plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other vertical surface, and bearing text in memory of an important figure or event...
s, packaging, buildings, label
Label
A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
ling, and identification of equipment.
Components
There are numerous basic components of the Federal Identity Program: the Canada wordmark and two corporate signature types with national symbols and bilingualMultilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
titles, all of which are rendered consistently.
Canada wordmark
Wordmark
A wordmark, word mark or logotype is a standardized text logo or graphic representation of the name of a company, institution, or product name used for purposes of identification and branding. A wordmark is usually a distinct text-only typographic treatment as can be found in the graphic identities...
is mandatory on virtually all of the applications mentioned above. Established in 1980, the Canada wordmark is essentially a logo for the government of Canada: it consists of the word "Canada" written in a serif
Serif
In typography, serifs are semi-structural details on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols. A typeface with serifs is called a serif typeface . A typeface without serifs is called sans serif or sans-serif, from the French sans, meaning “without”...
font, a modified version of Baskerville
Baskerville
Baskerville is a transitional serif typeface designed in 1757 by John Baskerville in Birmingham, England. Baskerville is classified as a transitional typeface, positioned between the old style typefaces of William Caslon, and the modern styles of Giambattista Bodoni and Firmin Didot.The...
, with a Canadian flag
Flag of Canada
The national flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and , is a red flag with a white square in its centre, featuring a stylized 11-pointed red maple leaf. Its adoption in 1965 marked the first time a national flag had been officially adopted in Canada to replace the Union Flag...
over the final 'a
A
A is the first letter and a vowel in the basic modern Latin alphabet. It is similar to the Ancient Greek letter Alpha, from which it derives.- Origins :...
'. In a 1999 study commissioned by the federal government, 77% of respondents remembered seeing the Canada wordmark at some point in the past. Due to the logo's simplicity and pervasiveness as an identifier, it is likely more had seen it and forgotten. Television viewers may be familiar with the logo from seeing it in the credits of Canadian television programs, where it is used to indicate government funding or tax credits.
Corporate signatures
There exist two basic types of FIP corporate signatures, each having a bilingualBilingualism in Canada
The official languages of Canada are English and French, which "have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada" according to Canada's constitution...
title and one of two symbol
Symbol
A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for...
s. The title is rendered in one of three typefaces of the sans serif Helvetica
Helvetica
Helvetica is a widely used sans-serif typeface developed in 1957 by Swiss typeface designer Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann.-Visual distinctive characteristics:Characteristics of this typeface are:lower case:square dot over the letter i....
family, selected for its simplicity and modernity.
- One signature variant, with the national flag symbolFlag of CanadaThe national flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and , is a red flag with a white square in its centre, featuring a stylized 11-pointed red maple leaf. Its adoption in 1965 marked the first time a national flag had been officially adopted in Canada to replace the Union Flag...
, is used to identify all departments, agencies, corporations, commissions, boards, councils, and any other federal body and activity. In such signatures, the flag typically appears to the left of a bilingual title. When the FIP was first implemented, a similar signature without the palePale (heraldry)A pale is a term used in heraldic blazon and vexillology to describe a charge on a coat of arms , that takes the form of a band running vertically down the center of the shield. Writers broadly agree that the width of the pale ranges from about one-fifth to about one-third of the width of the...
on the flag's 'fly' (right)Flag terminologyFlag terminology is a jargon used in vexillology, the study of flags, to describe precisely the parts, patterns, and other attributes of flags and their display.-Description of standard flag parts and terms:...
was used until 1987. - The other variant, with the Coat of Arms of CanadaCoat of arms of CanadaThe Arms of Canada is, since 1921, the official coat of arms of the Canadian monarch, and thus also of Canada...
, is used to identify ministers and their offices, parliamentary secretaries, institutions whose heads report directly to ParliamentParliament of CanadaThe Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
, and institutions with quasi-judicial functions. When applied within the context of the FIP, the coat of arms is often flanked on each side by an official's or department's bilingual title. Use of the coat of arms, instead of the flag signature, requires authorization by the Governor GeneralGovernor General of CanadaThe Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
as advisedAdvice (constitutional)Advice, in constitutional law, is formal, usually binding, instruction given by one constitutional officer of state to another. Especially in parliamentary systems of government, Heads of state often act on the basis of advice issued by prime ministers or other government ministers...
by the appropriate minister with agreement of the President of the Treasury BoardPresident of the Treasury Board (Canada)The position of President of the Treasury Board was created as a ministerial position in the Canadian Cabinet in 1966 when the Treasury Board became a full-fledged department. From 1867 to 1966 the Treasury Board had been part of the Department of Finance....
.
Exemptions to the Federal Identity Program
Certain Federal Entities, are exempt from FIP.- Atlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyThe Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is the Canadian federal government agency responsible for helping to build economic capacity in the Atlantic Provinces by working with the people of the region – in their communities, through their institutions and with their local and provincial governments...
- Atomic Energy of Canada LimitedAtomic Energy of Canada LimitedAtomic Energy of Canada Limited or AECL is a Canadian federal Crown corporation and Canada's largest nuclear science and technology laboratory...
- Bank of CanadaBank of CanadaThe Bank of Canada is Canada's central bank and "lender of last resort". The Bank was created by an Act of Parliament on July 3, 1934 as a privately owned corporation. In 1938, the Bank became a Crown corporation belonging to the Government of Canada...
- Canada CouncilCanada CouncilThe Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
- Canada Development Investment CorporationCanada Development Investment CorporationThe Canada Development Investment Corporation is a Canadian Crown corporation assigned with management of investments and corporate interests of the Crown, making purchases and sales of assets on behalf of the Queen-in-Council...
- Canada Labour Relations Board
- Canada Lands Company Limited
- Canada Lands Company (Le Vieux-Port de Montréal) Limited
- Canada Lands Company (Vieux-Port de Québec) Inc.
- Canada Lands Company (Mirabel) Limited
- Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCanada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a Crown corporation, owned by the Government of Canada, founded after World War II to provide housing for returning soldiers...
- Canada Ports Corporation
- Canada Post Corporation
- Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
- Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCanadian Broadcasting CorporationThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
- Canadian Centre for Management Development
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and SafetyCanadian Centre for Occupational Health and SafetyThe Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Canada.CCOHS functions as the primary national agency in Canada for the advancement of safe and healthy workplaces and preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths...
- Canadian Commercial CorporationCanadian Commercial CorporationThe Canadian Commercial Corporation is a crown corporation of the Government of Canada that facilitates Canadian exports by negotiating and executing government-to-government contracts...
- Canadian General Standards Board
- Canadian Human Rights CommissionCanadian Human Rights CommissionThe Canadian Human Rights Commission is a quasi-judicial body that was established in 1977 by the government of Canada. It is empowered under the Canadian Human Rights Act to investigate and try to settle complaints of discrimination in employment and in the provision of services within federal...
- Canadian Intergovernmental Conference SecretariatCanadian Intergovernmental Conference SecretariatThe Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat is an independent Canadian government agency enacted on November 29, 1973 by an Order in Council from the first ministers created for the purpose of continuing governing of Canada. The agency reports to the Parliament of Canada through the Prime...
- Canadian National Railway Company
- Canadian Patents and Development Limited
- Canadian Saltfish Corporation
- Canadian Wheat BoardCanadian Wheat BoardThe Canadian Wheat Board was established by the Parliament of Canada on 5 July 1935 as a mandatory producer marketing system for wheat and barley in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a small part of British Columbia...
- CORCAN (industrial work program of Correctional Service Canada)
- Economic Council of CanadaEconomic Council of CanadaThe Economic Council of Canada is a former Crown corporation that was owned by the Government of Canada and was established in 1963 under the Economic Council of Canada Act....
- Enterprise Cape Breton CorporationEnterprise Cape Breton CorporationEnterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a Canadian federal Crown corporation which promotes and coordinates economic development throughout Cape Breton Island and adjacent areas in the eastern Nova Scotia town of Mulgrave....
- Export Development Corporation
- Federal Business Development Bank
- Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation
- Halifax Port Corporation
- Harbourfront Corporation
- House of CommonsCanadian House of CommonsThe House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
- International Centre for Ocean Development
- Judicial branch
- Language Training Canada (component of the Public Service Commission of CanadaPublic Service Commission of CanadaThe Public Service Commission of Canada is an independent government agency that safeguards merit-based hiring, non-partisanship, representativeness and the use of both official languages in the Canadian public service...
) - Marine AtlanticMarine AtlanticMarine Atlantic Inc. is an independent Canadian Crown corporation offering ferry services between the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.Marine Atlantic's corporate headquarters are in St...
Inc. - Montreal Port Corporation
- National Arts Centre Corporation
- National Capital CommissionNational Capital CommissionThe National Capital Commission , is a Canadian Crown corporation that administers the federally owned lands and buildings in Canada's National Capital Region, including Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec.The NCC was created in 1959, replacing the Federal District Commission , which had been...
- National Film Board
- National Round Table on the Environment and the EconomyNational Round Table on the Environment and the EconomyEmerging from the famous Brundtland Report, Our Common Future, the is a model for convening diverse and competing interests around one table to create consensus ideas and viable suggestions for sustainable development...
- Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
- Petro-CanadaPetro-CanadaPetro-Canada was a crown corporation of Canada in the field of oil and natural gas. It was headquartered in the Petro-Canada Centre in Calgary, Alberta. In August, 2009, Petro-Canada merged with Suncor Energy, a deal in which Suncor investors received approximately 60 per cent ownership of the...
- Port of Quebec Corporation
- Prince Rupert Port Corporation
- Public Service Staff Relations BoardPublic Service Staff Relations BoardThe Public Service Labour Relations Board is anBy agreement with the Government of the Yukon, the Board also administers the collective bargaining and grievance adjudication systems under the following statutes:*Yukon Education Staff Relations Act*Yukon Public Service Staff Relations ActPresently...
- Royal Canadian MintRoyal Canadian MintThe Royal Canadian Mint produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint also designs and manufactures: precious and base metal collector coins; gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion coins; medals, as well as medallions and...
- Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
- Saint John Port Corporation
- Science Council of CanadaScience Council of CanadaThe Science Council of Canada was a Canadian governmental advisory board existing from 1966 to 1993. It originally had 25 scientists and senior civil servants, later expanded to 40 natural and physical scientists, with the civil servants removed....
- Senate of Canada
- Standards Council of CanadaStandards Council of Canada- About the SCC :The Standards Council of Canada is a federal Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective voluntary standardization. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the Standards Council has a 15-member governing Council and a staff of approximately 90...
- St. John's Port Corporation
- St. Lawrence Seaway Authority
- Vancouver Port Corporation
- VIA Rail Canada Inc.
.