Answered By: Matt Laidlow
Last Updated: Feb 09, 2026     Views: 117

Are government documents protected by copyright?


Yes, all government documents created in Canada are protected by copyright. However, different levels of government have different copyright terms. 
 

Federal, territorial, and provincial government documents
These types of government documents are protected by Crown copyright. The term of Crown copyright lasts for 50 years after the document's date of publication. 
For further information on the use of federal government documents that are under Crown copyright see the federal Crown Copyright Request page. 
 

Municipal government documents
Municipal government documents are not covered by Crown copyright. These documents fall under the normal copyright term, which is life of the creator plus 70 years.

Check the website of the municipal government whose documents you wish to reproduce to see if they allow for reproduction for educational, non-commercial, or research purposes. 

Please note: Users’ rights exceptions to the Copyright Act, such as fair dealing, still apply to these works. 

For further information about the use of AB government documents that are under Crown copyright see the provincial Copyright page.

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