Information for industry

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) issues all contracts for advertising services on behalf of departments. Contracts are awarded through an open and transparent national competitive process.

Agency of record

The Government of Canada (GC) uses a single Agency of Record (AOR) that provides services including; media planning and strategizing, media buying, ad serving and trafficking, ad verification, reporting and reconciliation services, to support a variety of government initiatives.

The Work under the Contract includes services in support of all GC advertising activities within Canada, for a variety of institutions, at the national, regional, rural and community-based levels, targeting all ages and origins, including ethnic and Indigenous communities, in English and French, as well as in other languages, as required.

An AOR enables the government to get better value by leveraging the collective buying power of institutions. Centralizing these services also enables improved integration, oversight, control and reporting of these activities.

The current contract is with Cossette Media Inc. It was awarded following a national competitive solicitation process and is valid until July 31, 2022, with the possibility of two (2) additional one (1) year option periods.

Creative agencies

PSPC has established a roster of agencies on standing offers valued to $850,000 + taxes, to provide creative services and campaign strategy services to departments in support of advertising campaigns and advertising production.

Standing offers

The Standing Offers end in June 2020 and include three additional one-year option periods.

The following firms were awarded a standing offer:

• Agency59
• Target Marketing & Communications
• Compass Communications
• Rain 43
• McCann Canada
• Ogilvy Montreal
• Acart Communications
• Quiller & Blake
• Cheil Canada in JV with l'Atelier Français Inc.
• M5 Marketing Communications
• Entreprise de communications Tank inc.
• Feast Interactive

Request for proposals

For certain campaigns, PSPC also issues Requests for proposals on buyandsell.gc.ca. Typically, these campaigns are complex with multiple themes and components and span multiple years. An example is the Department of National Defence's recruitment campaign which includes national, seasonal and regional components.