Canada Greener Homes Initiative badge guidelines

Overview

These Guidelines set out the rules for using and reproducing the Canada Greener Homes Initiative (CGHI) Badge. The CGHI Badge consists of Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) copyright protected graphic that includes the Government of Canada’s “Canada” wordmark. It has been developed as a way for third parties to help inform the public about the Government of Canada’s Canada Greener Homes Initiative.

You must have a valid Canada Greener Homes Initiative Badge Licence Agreement (the “Licence Agreement”) to use and display the CGHI Badge.

General Guidelines for Badge Use

You must follow the terms of the Licence Agreement when using the CGHI Badge. Please be sure to read the Licence Agreement carefully.  If you have any questions about the Licence Agreement please contact NRCan using the contact information provided in the Licence Agreement.

The CGHI Badge shall only be reproduced or published within the Licensee’s promotional material to;

1. promote the Government of Canada’s Greener Homes Initiative, or,
2. direct the public to the Government of Canada’s official Greener Homes Initiative information and website.

Everyone who has been approved and signed a Licence Agreement, including their employees, must follow the rules for use of the CGHI Badge in either print or digital/electronic format:

• The CGHI Badge must not be altered, rotated, cut apart, or otherwise distorted aside from the versions provided.
• There must be a clearly visible space surrounding the CGHI Badge at all times (i.e. the Badge cannot overlap with text or other images). Refer to the document: Examples of Proper CGHI Badge Use.
• The CGHI Badge may be resized, but the proportions must be maintained.
• The lettering inside the CGHI Badge must remain legible when reproduced.
• Neither the CGHI Badge, nor any portion thereof, nor any reference to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative name may be used in an organization’s name or logo, product name or logo, service name or logo, or website domain name.
• The CGHI Badge should not be used as an outline, nor should they appear in the same colour as the background.
• The disclaimer found at Section 6 of the Licence Agreement must be displayed in reasonable proximity to the CGHI Badge. In print, this can include fine print that is legible and on the same page as the badge appears. On digital materials, this can include on the same screen as the badge would appear, accounting for device dimensions.
• Licensees may use any of the Approved CGHI Badge graphics provided to them by Natural Resources Canada
• The use of any of the Approved CGHI Badge graphics is dependent on where/how the Badge will be displayed (see: Examples of Proper CGHI Badge Use document).
• The CGHI Badge graphic with the QR code is to be used in print and digital display signage. The QR code directs to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative page on the Natural Resources Canada website.
• The CGHI Badge graphic without a QR code can only be used on digital platforms where engagement and user navigation are possible, such as websites. The badge must hyperlink to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative page on the Natural Resources Canada website.
• When promoting the CGHI in Francophone markets, use the French version of the badge.
• When a bilingual version of the badge is required, either;
• Include both the English and French QR code versions in print or digital display signage, or;
• Use the bilingual Badge without a QR code on digital platforms where user navigation is possible. The badge must be hyperlinked to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative page on the Natural Resources Canada website when used.

Incorrect Use

If the licensee is unclear, or has specific questions about their intended use of the CGHI badge that have not been included in either the License Agreement or the Guidelines, you should contact NRCan using the contact information provided in Section 12 of the Licence Agreement to confirm their understanding prior to displaying the badge. Failure to comply could result in action taken, including the termination of the License Agreement.

In addition to the General Guidelines above, the licensee must not use the CGHI Badge: