Theme page: Canada.ca design

On this page

• When to use
• What to avoid
• How to implement
• Latest changes

When to use

This template must be used for the theme page.

What to avoid

Pages where people can initiate a task should be considered destination content, and should not use the theme template.

The theme template should not be used for promotion; instead, use Promotional events pages or Campaign pages.

How to implement

Theme page

Guidance for the stable theme page

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1: Theme title

Mandatory

Describes the theme and page content

• Presentation

  • theme title must be a unique H1
  • must be the first component on the page

2: Theme introductory paragraph

Mandatory

Describes the top tasks and topics that can be accessed on this page

• Content

  • provides an overview of all top tasks that can be accomplished on the given theme
  • keep the text short and concise
  • written for a grade 6-8 reading level
• Presentation

  • appears below the theme title
  • appears to the left of the theme image

3: Theme image

Optional

Image is optional. Only use decorative images.

• Presentation

  • appears at the top of the page
  • appears to the right of the theme introductory paragraph

4: Theme social media channels

Conditional

Features theme-specific social media channels

• Content

  • this component is mandatory when there is 1 or more theme related social media channels that exist
  • use the Social media channels block (follow block) pattern
• Presentation

  • appears below the theme introductory paragraph

5: Services and information

Mandatory

Features theme-specific topics

• Content

  • use the Services and information pattern
• Presentation

  • appears below the theme social media channels and to the left of “Most requested”
  • heading is labelled “Services and information”

6: Most requested

Mandatory

Features theme-specific top tasks

• Content

  • use the Most requested pattern
• Presentation

  • appears to the right of “Services and information”
  • heading is labelled “Most requested”

7: More information for

Conditional

Links to related government-wide audience information

• Content

  • this component is mandatory when there is 1 or more theme-related government-wide audience page or audience topic page that exist
  • use the More information for pattern
• Presentation

  • appears below “Most requested”
  • heading is labelled “More information for”

8: Theme features

Mandatory

Promotes theme-specific current activities being led by departments and agencies across the GC

• Content

  • use the Context-specific features pattern
• Presentation

  • appears below “Services and information”

User navigation

Canada.ca is organized around 15 themes, based on an analysis of top tasks (most requested information and services) across the Government of Canada.

While the themes emphasize top tasks related to information and service delivery, they also provide a window into activities of the Government of Canada that are undertaken to support programs and services (for example, research, consultation, policy development).

Text version

Theme pages can be accessed from the Canada.ca home page.

Latest changes

2024-09-24:

• Updated the pattern to remove any reference of topic pages. Topic pages are now a separate pattern.

2020-07-10:

• Changes to doormat columns in tablet view
• Clarify social media account guidance

2020-06-30: A new beta version of this template was added