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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAgency & IndustryAd Standards (Canada)

Agency & Industry

Ad Standards (Canada)

Canada's independent advertising self-regulator, which administers the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards and handles consumer complaints.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Ad Standards is Canada's independent advertising self-regulatory body, which administers the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards and handles consumer complaints about ads. It reviews complaints about misleading, unfair or offensive advertising and also offers preclearance services for certain regulated categories. Its decisions rely on industry participation rather than legal enforcement.