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) is proud to announce the launch of the Certified Canadian Publisher Program, a new initiative designed to help readers identify and support Canadian-owned book publishers.
The publishing industry in Canada is a $1.1 billion sector, selling nearly 50 million books each year. Yet Canadian-owned publishers represented just 5.6% of reported sales in 2024, despite producing 80% of all English-language books by Canadian authors. With more than 500 multinational imprints dominating the market, Canadian publishers have long faced a significant visibility challenge.
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. At a time when many people are eager to keep their money in Canada, the program offers a clear way to make meaningful purchasing decisions.
“Canadian publishers are deeply connected to their communities and play an essential role in amplifying Canadian voices, yet they are often hard to identify at point-of-purchase,” said ACP President Alana Wilcox. “This program makes it easier for readers to choose books that directly support Canada’s authors, culture, and economy.”
Certified Canadian Publishers can be found in communities across the country, each carefully selecting the books they publish based on their editorial vision and the needs of their readership. 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.
For more information about the program and to discover Certified Canadian Publishers, visit www.certifiedcanadianpublisher.com.
ACP would like to recognize Ontario Creates and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting this project, and thank Foreword, one of the program’s partners.
For more information, contact:
Jack Illingworth
Executive Director, ACP
jack_illingworth@canbook.org