Sample Notices for Websites and Pages
Web functional specialists are responsible for ensuring that the terms and conditions are up-to-date for the department's websites (including Web applications). Sample notices are provided to facilitate compliance to the Standard on Web Usability. They can be modified depending on each departments’ context and content (unless otherwise noted).
Website Notices:
Terms and Conditions
The requirements described in Appendix C of the Standard on Web Usability ensure that departments provide notices on their websites that inform users about their rights, responsibilities and legal obligations, as well as those of the department providing the website.
The website notices are available to users by selecting the "Terms and conditions" ("Avis") link from any Web page.
Privacy notice
In addition to the requirements described in the Standard on Web Usability, privacy notices must also comply with sections 6.2.9 and 6.2.10 of the Directive on Privacy Practices. Please consult with your department’s Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator for inquiries regarding privacy notices.
Third-party server notice
Departments must include this text about using files located on non-Government of Canada servers in the terms and conditions section of their website.
Official languages notice
Departments must include this text about providing content in our Official Languages in the terms and conditions section of their website.
Hyperlinking notice
Departments must include this text about linking to non-Government of Canada websites in the terms and conditions section of their website.
Copyright / Permission to reproduce notices
Departments must include this text explaining how to obtain permission to reproduce content published under Crown Copyright or by non-Government of Canada copyright holders in the terms and conditions section of their website.
Reproduction of Government symbols notice
Departments must include this text about how to obtain permission to reproduce Government symbols in the terms and conditions section of their website.
Web Page Notices:
In Context
The requirements described in Appendix D of the Standard on Web Usability ensure that departments provide context sensitive notices, on their Web pages, that inform users about their rights, responsibilities and legal obligations, as well as those of the department providing the website.
The Web page notices are available to users only on the pages in which the notices are required.
Personal Information Collection Statement
In addition to the requirements described in the Standard on Web Usability, privacy notices must also comply with sections 6.2.9 and 6.2.10 of the Directive on Privacy Practices and sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 of the Directive on Social Insurance Number. Please consult with the office of primary interest and your department’s Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator for inquiries regarding privacy notices. Privacy notices will vary for each authorized program or activity of a department.
Third-party information liability disclaimer
Departments are encouraged to link to third-party content, rather than host it on their website, where appropriate. However, in cases such as public consultations, where content is published on your website by sources other than the Government of Canada, a third-party information liability disclaimer must be provided on the page containing or linking to the content provided by the third party.
Crown copyright symbol
In circumstances where the Crown copyright symbol is deemed necessary, use one of the following formats:
- © Government of Canada, date
- © [Applied title of department], date
Language notice
When linking to Web content that is only available in one official language, include the following text after the hyperlink:
- (French only) – on an English page linking to a French page
- (anglais seulement) – on a French page linking to an English page.
- Date modified: