Consider the following guidelines when using numbers and dates in your writing to help keep our content consistent.
Numbers
Spell out whole numbers under 10 and use figures for 10 and over. Only spell out figures of 10 or over if they are used to start a sentence.
We interviewed three Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors.
We interviewed 3 Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors.
This initiative is making a real difference in 23 communities across Canada.
This initiative is making a real difference in twenty-three communities across Canada.
Fourteen people participated in the 10 kilometre race.
14 people participated in the 10 kilometre race.
Dates
Use cardinal numbers only.
We will release this report on September 25.
We will release this report on September 25th.
Months
Write months out in full in main text; you may abbreviate if full date.
September 2023 [no comma]
September 25, 2023 [comma]
Sept. 25, 2023
Calendar years
Use an en-dash (–), and write out six digits, not eight. Alternatively, you can write out the years in full, so “from 2021 to 2022.”
Data is from 2021–22.
Fiscal years
Use six digits and an en-dash (–) rather than a forward slash to write fiscal years.
2023–24
2023/24
A fuller picture of these initiatives and other accomplishments with partners in 2021–22 is presented in Focused on the future.
Decades
Avoid abbreviating (the 1990s; not the ‘90s) unless necessary.
All-numeric format
Use YYYY-MM-DD as the order.
2023-09-25
Percentages
Do not use hyphens for writing percentages.
Do not use %, except in figures and tables.
Six per cent increase
Six per-cent increase
Time
Use lowercase and periods: a.m. and p.m.
As a pan-Canadian organization, always indicate time zones to mitigate confusion.
The webinar will be held at 1:30 p.m. EST.
Do not use the 24-hour “military” clock.
Currency
Identify the currency if Canadian currency is not assumed. Use International Monetary Fund abbreviations, e.g., CAD for Canadian dollars; USD for American dollars.
CAD 20.00; USD 20.00
