Previewing three trends that will impact how brands engage consumers in Canada next year.

Digital video is the lone silver lining in Canada’s ad market. Despite the pandemic, video ad spending will grow 3.6% this year to reach CA$2.18 billion ($1.64 billion).

Our revised estimates for total ad spending in Canada this year show a big decline, mirroring what’s expected overall for the Canadian economy. Digital will hold its level after years of double-digit growth.

The sports video streaming landscape in Canada is a mix of legacy TV network groups Bell Media and Rogers Media; digital media giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Amazon; and independent startups like DAZN.

And in North America, Canada-based software studio Myplanet has created a fund to support independent developers in their efforts to create better, more standardized open-source tools for digital contact tracing.

And in North America, Canada-based software studio Myplanet has created a fund to support independent developers in their efforts to create better, more standardized open-source tools for digital contact tracing.

Add on the current currency exchange rates and international shipping fees, and selling in Canada can quickly become pricey. What’s more, all product packaging is supposed to be clearly labelled in both French and English, with all measurements presented using the metric system, according to Canada’s Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.

It’s also possible that Facebook will extend its Ad Library to more countries, particularly those that have important elections in 2019, like Canada. Facebook’s data privacy policies will receive increased scrutiny by both users and lawmakers.