Designed to help readers keep their money in Canada when purchasing books, the program simplifies the identification of Canadian-owned publishers through the use of a seal mark.
The Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) launched the Certified Canadian Publisher program last year in response to intense interest from consumers in finding and buying Canadian products. As the latest US trade actions–including 50% tariffs on a wide array of goods—threaten Canadian exports, jobs, and local communities, interest in supporting Canadian culture and content is only growing. The ACP is now opening the program to eligible Canadian-owned book publishers across the country, including those that are not ACP members.
The Certified Canadian Publisher seal—found on a book’s back cover, spine, or copyright page—helps book lovers easily identify titles published by Canadian-owned companies.
The publishing industry in Canada is a $1.4 billion sector, selling nearly 50 million books each year. Yet Canadian-owned publishers represented just 6% of reported sales in 2025, despite producing around 80% of all English-language books by Canadian authors. With more than 500 multinational imprints flooding the market, it can be difficult for readers to identify which books are published by Canadian-owned companies.
“At a time when many people are looking to invest in Canada, the Certified Canadian Publisher program makes it easier to identify and support Canadian-owned publishers and the books they produce,” said ACP President Lisa Quinn. “We are excited to open the program to eligible publishers beyond ACP’s membership and invite presses from across the country to join us in making Canadian publishing more visible to readers everywhere.”
By purchasing books with the Certified Canadian Publisher seal, readers can:
- Support Canadian jobs – from editors and designers to printers, distributors, and booksellers.
- Champion Canadian talent – Canadian publishers nurture and launch the careers of our greatest literary innovators.
- Strengthen our communities – Certified Canadian Publishers operate in almost every province and territory, reflecting diverse cultural perspectives.
- Boost our economy – dollars spent on Canadian books stay in Canada, fueling creative industries and cultural growth.
- Preserve Canadian perspectives – in a market flooded with foreign titles, buying Canadian ensures our stories remain visible at home and abroad.
In addition to the Certified Canadian Publisher seal, participating publishers receive access to a suite of digital marketing and promotional assets, including social media graphics, advertising and poster templates, customizable design files, and guidance on incorporating the Certified Canadian Publisher brand into their marketing and communications.
The program is open to eligible professional Canadian-owned book publishers. ACP members can participate as part of their membership, while eligible non-members can enroll for an annual fee scaled to the size of their organization. More information about the Certified Canadian Publisher program, including eligibility requirements, fees, and how to apply, can be found on the Association of Canadian Publishers website.
ACP would like to recognize Ontario Creates and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting this project’s development, and thank Foreword Book Printing, one of the program’s partners.
For more information, contact:
Laura Rock Gaughan
Acting Executive Director, ACP
laura_rock_gaughan@canbook.org