Public service: capitalization rules

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Linguistic Recommendation

To standardize the writing of the term public service in all Government of Canada documents, the Translation Bureau recommends the following:

English Guidelines

Lower case

Write the term public service in lower case when you are not referring to an official title or name of a government body.

  • Canada's public service has about 250,000 employees.
  • Robert joined the public service of Canada in 1992.
  • She was always dedicated to the ideals of public service.

Upper case

Capitalize the term public service when you are referring to

  • a government body (Canada School of Public Service; Public Service Commission)
  • an organization (Public Service Alliance of Canada)
  • an act (Public Service Employment Act)
  • the title of a document (Public Service Renewal: 15th Annual Clerk’s Report on the Public Service)

French Guidelines

Lower case

Write the term fonction publique in lower case:

  • la fonction publique fédérale
  • la Commission de la fonction publique
  • la Loi sur l'emploi dans la fonction publique
  • l'École de la fonction publique du Canada

Exception: Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada

Linguistic Recommendation reference number

REC-7/2008-09

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Linguistic Recommendations and Reminders
Public service: capitalization rules (REC-7/2008-09) - Comments

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