GITNUXREPORT 2026

Canada Advertising Industry Statistics

Canada's advertising industry is experiencing strong digital-driven growth and healthy future projections.

Written by James Okoro·Edited by Marie Larsen·Fact-checked by Peter Sandoval

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 1, 2026·Next review: Oct 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

Retail sector led ad spend with CAD 2.45 billion in 2023, 19.6% of total market

Statistic 2

Financial services advertising totaled CAD 1.38 billion in 2023, up 6.9% YoY

Statistic 3

Automotive industry ad spend reached CAD 1.12 billion in 2023, driven by EV promotions

Statistic 4

Telecommunications sector spent CAD 1.05 billion on ads in 2023, 8.4% of total

Statistic 5

Pharmaceuticals and healthcare ad expenditure was CAD 890 million in 2023

Statistic 6

Entertainment and media sector allocated CAD 760 million to advertising in 2023

Statistic 7

Travel and tourism ads totaled CAD 540 million in 2023, rebounding 14.2% post-COVID

Statistic 8

Food and beverage industry ad spend hit CAD 980 million in 2023, led by packaged goods

Statistic 9

Government and public sector advertising was CAD 420 million in 2023

Statistic 10

E-commerce platforms like Amazon spent CAD 250 million on ads in Canada in 2023

Statistic 11

Real estate sector ad budget reached CAD 380 million in 2023, up 9.1% with housing market

Statistic 12

68.2% of Canadian consumers noticed online ads daily in 2023 survey

Statistic 13

Ad recall rate for digital video ads was 47.3% vs 32.1% for static banners in 2023

Statistic 14

55.4% of Canadians used ad blockers in 2023, highest among 25-34 age group at 62.7%

Statistic 15

Brand lift from social media campaigns averaged 18.2% in Canada 2023 studies

Statistic 16

41.7% of consumers made purchases influenced by OOH ads in past year per 2023 poll

Statistic 17

TV ad engagement among 18-49 demographic was 28.4% in 2023 metrics

Statistic 18

73.1% trust in influencer endorsements dropped to 61.2% in 2023 due to disclosures

Statistic 19

Search ad click-through rate averaged 2.14% for Canadian campaigns in 2023

Statistic 20

52.3% of millennials reported skipping TV ads via DVR in 2023 survey

Statistic 21

ROI on digital ads measured at 4.2:1 in Canada 2023 benchmarks

Statistic 22

Digital advertising captured 68.4% of total ad spend in 2023 at CAD 8.55 billion

Statistic 23

Programmatic advertising accounted for 52.1% of digital ad spend, equating to CAD 4.45 billion in 2023

Statistic 24

Social media ad revenue hit CAD 3.2 billion in 2023, up 12.7% YoY, led by Facebook and Instagram

Statistic 25

Search advertising generated CAD 2.8 billion, with Google holding 78.3% market share in 2023

Statistic 26

Video advertising online surged 15.4% to CAD 1.95 billion in 2023

Statistic 27

Retail media networks ad spend reached CAD 850 million in 2023, growing 28.6% YoY

Statistic 28

Mobile advertising comprised 61.2% of digital spend at CAD 5.23 billion in 2023

Statistic 29

CTV (Connected TV) ad revenue was CAD 420 million in 2023, up 32% from 2022

Statistic 30

Influencer marketing spend in digital channels totaled CAD 320 million in 2023

Statistic 31

Native advertising online generated CAD 680 million, 11.8% growth in 2023

Statistic 32

In 2023, Canada's total advertising revenue reached CAD 12.5 billion, marking a 7.2% year-over-year growth driven by digital channels

Statistic 33

Advertising expenditure per capita in Canada stood at CAD 312 in 2023, up from CAD 295 in 2022

Statistic 34

The Canadian ad market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching CAD 15.2 billion by 2028

Statistic 35

Quebec province accounted for 22.4% of national ad spend in 2023, totaling CAD 2.8 billion

Statistic 36

Ontario led with 42.1% of Canada's ad revenue at CAD 5.26 billion in 2023

Statistic 37

Ad spend inflation-adjusted growth was 4.1% in 2023 after accounting for 3.1% CPI rise

Statistic 38

Small and medium enterprises contributed 18.7% or CAD 2.34 billion to total ad spend in 2023

Statistic 39

National ad revenue grew 8.3% in Q4 2023 alone to CAD 3.4 billion

Statistic 40

Forecasted ad spend for 2024 is CAD 13.3 billion, with 6.4% growth

Statistic 41

Historical ad spend from 2019-2023 averaged CAD 11.2 billion annually

Statistic 42

In 2023, Canada's total advertising revenue reached CAD 12.5 billion, marking a 7.2% year-over-year growth driven by digital channels

Statistic 43

Advertising expenditure per capita in Canada stood at CAD 312 in 2023, up from CAD 295 in 2022

Statistic 44

The Canadian ad market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching CAD 15.2 billion by 2028

Statistic 45

Quebec province accounted for 22.4% of national ad spend in 2023, totaling CAD 2.8 billion

Statistic 46

Ontario led with 42.1% of Canada's ad revenue at CAD 5.26 billion in 2023

Statistic 47

Ad spend inflation-adjusted growth was 4.1% in 2023 after accounting for 3.1% CPI rise

Statistic 48

Small and medium enterprises contributed 18.7% or CAD 2.34 billion to total ad spend in 2023

Statistic 49

National ad revenue grew 8.3% in Q4 2023 alone to CAD 3.4 billion

Statistic 50

Forecasted ad spend for 2024 is CAD 13.3 billion, with 6.4% growth

Statistic 51

TV advertising spend totaled CAD 2.1 billion in 2023, down 3.2% YoY

Statistic 52

Radio advertising revenue was CAD 1.05 billion in 2023, declining 2.8% from 2022

Statistic 53

Newspaper print ad revenue fell to CAD 450 million in 2023, a 7.1% drop

Statistic 54

Magazine advertising spend was CAD 280 million in 2023, down 5.4% YoY

Statistic 55

Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising reached CAD 780 million in 2023, up 4.2% post-pandemic recovery

Statistic 56

Cinema advertising generated CAD 120 million in 2023, growing 8.7% with theatrical rebound

Statistic 57

Direct mail ad spend was CAD 650 million in 2023, stable with 0.5% growth

Statistic 58

National TV networks captured 55.3% of TV ad spend at CAD 1.16 billion in 2023

Statistic 59

Local TV advertising declined 4.6% to CAD 940 million in 2023

Statistic 60

Billboard OOH spend was 42.7% of total OOH at CAD 333 million in 2023

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Sources

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While traditional media sees its shadow and retreats, Canada's advertising landscape is exploding in a different direction, surging past $12.5 billion in 2023 as digital channels propel the industry into an era of unprecedented, data-driven growth.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, Canada's total advertising revenue reached CAD 12.5 billion, marking a 7.2% year-over-year growth driven by digital channels
Advertising expenditure per capita in Canada stood at CAD 312 in 2023, up from CAD 295 in 2022
The Canadian ad market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching CAD 15.2 billion by 2028
Digital advertising captured 68.4% of total ad spend in 2023 at CAD 8.55 billion
Programmatic advertising accounted for 52.1% of digital ad spend, equating to CAD 4.45 billion in 2023
Social media ad revenue hit CAD 3.2 billion in 2023, up 12.7% YoY, led by Facebook and Instagram
TV advertising spend totaled CAD 2.1 billion in 2023, down 3.2% YoY
Radio advertising revenue was CAD 1.05 billion in 2023, declining 2.8% from 2022
Newspaper print ad revenue fell to CAD 450 million in 2023, a 7.1% drop
Retail sector led ad spend with CAD 2.45 billion in 2023, 19.6% of total market
Financial services advertising totaled CAD 1.38 billion in 2023, up 6.9% YoY
Automotive industry ad spend reached CAD 1.12 billion in 2023, driven by EV promotions
68.2% of Canadian consumers noticed online ads daily in 2023 survey
Ad recall rate for digital video ads was 47.3% vs 32.1% for static banners in 2023
55.4% of Canadians used ad blockers in 2023, highest among 25-34 age group at 62.7%

Canada's advertising industry is experiencing strong digital-driven growth and healthy future projections.

Advertising by Industry Sector

1Retail sector led ad spend with CAD 2.45 billion in 2023, 19.6% of total market

Verified

2Financial services advertising totaled CAD 1.38 billion in 2023, up 6.9% YoY

Verified

3Automotive industry ad spend reached CAD 1.12 billion in 2023, driven by EV promotions

Verified

4Telecommunications sector spent CAD 1.05 billion on ads in 2023, 8.4% of total

Directional

5Pharmaceuticals and healthcare ad expenditure was CAD 890 million in 2023

Single source

6Entertainment and media sector allocated CAD 760 million to advertising in 2023

Verified

7Travel and tourism ads totaled CAD 540 million in 2023, rebounding 14.2% post-COVID

Verified

8Food and beverage industry ad spend hit CAD 980 million in 2023, led by packaged goods

Verified

9Government and public sector advertising was CAD 420 million in 2023

Directional

10E-commerce platforms like Amazon spent CAD 250 million on ads in Canada in 2023

Single source

11Real estate sector ad budget reached CAD 380 million in 2023, up 9.1% with housing market

Verified

Advertising by Industry Sector Interpretation

While retail loudly waves the biggest checkbook for your attention, finance quietly grows its share, your car dealer desperately pushes electric dreams, and your phone company relentlessly reminds you it exists, all proving that in the Canadian ad game, every sector is fiercely investing in a slice of your mind—and wallet.

Consumer Insights & Effectiveness

168.2% of Canadian consumers noticed online ads daily in 2023 survey

Verified

2Ad recall rate for digital video ads was 47.3% vs 32.1% for static banners in 2023

Verified

355.4% of Canadians used ad blockers in 2023, highest among 25-34 age group at 62.7%

Verified

4Brand lift from social media campaigns averaged 18.2% in Canada 2023 studies

Directional

541.7% of consumers made purchases influenced by OOH ads in past year per 2023 poll

Single source

6TV ad engagement among 18-49 demographic was 28.4% in 2023 metrics

Verified

773.1% trust in influencer endorsements dropped to 61.2% in 2023 due to disclosures

Verified

8Search ad click-through rate averaged 2.14% for Canadian campaigns in 2023

Verified

952.3% of millennials reported skipping TV ads via DVR in 2023 survey

Directional

10ROI on digital ads measured at 4.2:1 in Canada 2023 benchmarks

Single source

Consumer Insights & Effectiveness Interpretation

Despite Canadians' eyes being unavoidably drawn to online ads and their brains impressively remembering nearly half of the video ones, the industry walks a tightrope where its best creative lifts brands and drives purchases, yet over half the audience is actively arming itself with ad blockers while trust in influencers erodes—proving that capturing attention is one thing, but earning it is the real ROI.

Digital Advertising Trends

1Digital advertising captured 68.4% of total ad spend in 2023 at CAD 8.55 billion

Verified

2Programmatic advertising accounted for 52.1% of digital ad spend, equating to CAD 4.45 billion in 2023

Verified

3Social media ad revenue hit CAD 3.2 billion in 2023, up 12.7% YoY, led by Facebook and Instagram

Verified

4Search advertising generated CAD 2.8 billion, with Google holding 78.3% market share in 2023

Directional

5Video advertising online surged 15.4% to CAD 1.95 billion in 2023

Single source

6Retail media networks ad spend reached CAD 850 million in 2023, growing 28.6% YoY

Verified

7Mobile advertising comprised 61.2% of digital spend at CAD 5.23 billion in 2023

Verified

8CTV (Connected TV) ad revenue was CAD 420 million in 2023, up 32% from 2022

Verified

9Influencer marketing spend in digital channels totaled CAD 320 million in 2023

Directional

10Native advertising online generated CAD 680 million, 11.8% growth in 2023

Single source

Digital Advertising Trends Interpretation

In the digital coliseum of 2023, Canada’s ad dollars overwhelmingly chose to court algorithms and screens, pouring billions into the hands of a few tech giants while programmatic robots and social scrolls quietly ate over half the pie.

Market Size & Revenue

1In 2023, Canada's total advertising revenue reached CAD 12.5 billion, marking a 7.2% year-over-year growth driven by digital channels

Verified

2Advertising expenditure per capita in Canada stood at CAD 312 in 2023, up from CAD 295 in 2022

Verified

3The Canadian ad market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching CAD 15.2 billion by 2028

Verified

4Quebec province accounted for 22.4% of national ad spend in 2023, totaling CAD 2.8 billion

Directional

5Ontario led with 42.1% of Canada's ad revenue at CAD 5.26 billion in 2023

Single source

6Ad spend inflation-adjusted growth was 4.1% in 2023 after accounting for 3.1% CPI rise

Verified

7Small and medium enterprises contributed 18.7% or CAD 2.34 billion to total ad spend in 2023

Verified

8National ad revenue grew 8.3% in Q4 2023 alone to CAD 3.4 billion

Verified

9Forecasted ad spend for 2024 is CAD 13.3 billion, with 6.4% growth

Directional

10Historical ad spend from 2019-2023 averaged CAD 11.2 billion annually

Single source

11In 2023, Canada's total advertising revenue reached CAD 12.5 billion, marking a 7.2% year-over-year growth driven by digital channels

Verified

12Advertising expenditure per capita in Canada stood at CAD 312 in 2023, up from CAD 295 in 2022

Verified

13The Canadian ad market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2028, reaching CAD 15.2 billion by 2028

Verified

14Quebec province accounted for 22.4% of national ad spend in 2023, totaling CAD 2.8 billion

Directional

15Ontario led with 42.1% of Canada's ad revenue at CAD 5.26 billion in 2023

Single source

16Ad spend inflation-adjusted growth was 4.1% in 2023 after accounting for 3.1% CPI rise

Verified

17Small and medium enterprises contributed 18.7% or CAD 2.34 billion to total ad spend in 2023

Verified

18National ad revenue grew 8.3% in Q4 2023 alone to CAD 3.4 billion

Verified

19Forecasted ad spend for 2024 is CAD 13.3 billion, with 6.4% growth

Directional

Market Size & Revenue Interpretation

While Ontario and Quebec continue their polite, high-stakes duel for advertising supremacy, the real story is that every Canadian, whether they like it or not, is now worth over $300 a year to marketers, a value growing robustly even after inflation, proving that our attention is the nation's most reliably appreciating asset.

Traditional Media Spend

1TV advertising spend totaled CAD 2.1 billion in 2023, down 3.2% YoY

Verified

2Radio advertising revenue was CAD 1.05 billion in 2023, declining 2.8% from 2022

Verified

3Newspaper print ad revenue fell to CAD 450 million in 2023, a 7.1% drop

Verified

4Magazine advertising spend was CAD 280 million in 2023, down 5.4% YoY

Directional

5Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising reached CAD 780 million in 2023, up 4.2% post-pandemic recovery

Single source

6Cinema advertising generated CAD 120 million in 2023, growing 8.7% with theatrical rebound

Verified

7Direct mail ad spend was CAD 650 million in 2023, stable with 0.5% growth

Verified

8National TV networks captured 55.3% of TV ad spend at CAD 1.16 billion in 2023

Verified

9Local TV advertising declined 4.6% to CAD 940 million in 2023

Directional

10Billboard OOH spend was 42.7% of total OOH at CAD 333 million in 2023

Single source

Traditional Media Spend Interpretation

While traditional media is having a yard sale with declining revenues, the ads you can't avoid—like billboards on your commute, trailers at the movies, and the mail in your physical mailbox—are quietly staging a rebellion against the digital takeover.