Applicants must present valid press credentials, where possible. Where a press credential is not available, a government-issued photo ID (passport for media not residing in Canada) is required.
A letter of assignment is also required, on the official letterhead of the media organization, identifying the applicant as being assigned to the event, explaining the role of the applicant at the event and signed by an authorized editor or publisher within the media organization with their contact information.
Individuals who do not work for a media organization, but rather work as independent members of the media, and therefore unable to provide a letter of assignment, will have to provide proof of recent publications relevant to the specific event, under the applicant’s byline, with reporting and content that can be readily found in the public realm.
To assist in verifying that those applying for media accreditation are members of the media, GAC may also refer to the applicant’s publicly available content to authenticate their role as a journalist.
In all cases, assuming eligibility criteria are met, accreditation confirmation will be issued only after a successful security screening performed by competent authorities of the Government of Canada is completed.
