Canada · Cover letters
Cover Letter Format in Canada: Layout, Template and Example (2026)
A Canadian cover letter is one page, usually 250 to 400 words, in a simple business-letter layout. Match the header to your resume, add the date and the employer's details, address a named person if you can, then write an introduction, one or two body paragraphs and a short closing that asks for an interview. Sign off with "Sincerely," and rewrite the letter for each job.
You've finished the resume. Now the application asks for a cover letter, and you're not sure what a Canadian one is supposed to look like. Is it a formal letter? How long? Do you put the employer's address on it?
This guide gives you the layout, a template you can paste into Word or Google Docs, and a filled example. One caution: formats vary a little between employers and fields, and the job posting always comes first. If it asks for something specific, such as a reference number or an online form, follow that.
Canadian cover letter layout, part by part
| Part | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Header | The same name and contact details as your resume (address or city, phone, email, LinkedIn), so the two documents look like a matched set. |
| Date | The date you submit the letter. |
| Employer details | Name and title of the hiring manager, company, and address of the specific office if you know it. |
| Reference line | Optional: the position title (and posting number, if any). It helps when a company hires for the same title in several places. |
| Greeting | "Dear Ms. Singh," or a general greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager" if you can't find a name. Avoid "To whom it may concern." |
| Introduction | 2 to 4 sentences: why you're writing, the role, and why you fit. |
| Body | 1 to 3 paragraphs with relevant skills and examples tied to the job requirements. |
| Closing | 2 to 4 sentences: thanks, interest in an interview and how to reach you. |
| Sign-off | "Sincerely," then your typed name (leave space for a signature if you're printing it). |
These elements come from Canadian university career centres (Western Engineering and the University of Manitoba, listed below). Use the same font and style as your resume, and keep the letter to one page. Two pages are generally reserved for people with extensive experience or for government applications.
Free Canadian cover letter template
Paste it into Word or Google Docs, set US Letter with about 1-inch margins, use the same font as your resume (Arial or Calibri, 11 point) and replace every [bracket].
[Your Full Name]
[City, Province] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL]
[Month Day, Year]
[Hiring Manager's Name, Title]
[Company Name]
[City, Province]
Re: [Position Title], [Posting number if any]
Dear [Ms./Mr./Mx. Last Name or Hiring Manager],
[Introduction: name the role, say where you found it and give one sentence on why you are a strong match.]
[Body: connect two or three relevant skills or achievements to what the job posting asks for. Use one specific example for each and add context your resume doesn't already cover.]
[Closing: thank them, say you would welcome an interview and state how you can be reached or when you will follow up.]
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Canadian cover letter example (fictional)
Marcus Tremblay
Ottawa, ON | 613-555-0198 | marcus.tremblay@example.com | linkedin.com/in/marcus-tremblay-example
October 27, 2026
Ms. Priya Singh, Operations Manager
Rideau Valley Logistics
Ottawa, ON
Re: Dispatch Coordinator (Posting #4412)
Dear Ms. Singh,
I'm writing to apply for the Dispatch Coordinator position posted on your careers page. With three years of experience scheduling drivers and handling client calls at a regional delivery company, and a diploma in Supply Chain Management, I believe I can help your team keep deliveries on schedule.
In my current role, I coordinate up to 25 daily routes and handle changes as they happen. When a major client changed its delivery windows, I rebuilt our weekly schedule in a shared spreadsheet and added a morning check-in with drivers, which reduced missed windows over the next two months. I'm comfortable with routing software and I'm bilingual in English and French, which I understand matters for your customers in the Ottawa and Gatineau area.
Thank you for considering my application. I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience fits your needs, and I can be reached at 613-555-0198 or marcus.tremblay@example.com.
Sincerely,
Marcus Tremblay
Tips that make a Canadian cover letter stronger
- Start with the job, not with "I am writing to express my interest." Name the role and one reason you fit.
- Add what your resume can't say. Explain a career change, a gap or a move, and show you've researched the employer.
- Use the posting's language. Mirror a few keywords so it works for applicant tracking systems too.
- Focus on what you offer. Employers read for what you can do for them.
- Keep the tone confident and professional. Warm, not casual.
- Follow submission instructions. If you're emailing, a clear subject line (position and your name) and a PDF with your name in the file name help.
If you're new to Canada
- Explain your situation briefly. If you're relocating, say when you'll be in Canada. A letter is a good place to explain your move and motivation.
- Don't dwell on lacking Canadian experience. Lead with results and skills. Our guide to jobs in Canada without Canadian experience shows where employers hire first-timers.
- Use Canadian conventions. A one-page letter, "Sincerely", and no personal details like age or marital status.
For more examples, see our sample cover letter examples and the step-by-step guide to writing a cover letter. If you're a student, pair this with the Canadian resume guide for international students.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be in Canada?
One page, usually about 250 to 400 words. Two pages are generally reserved for people with extensive experience or for government applications.
Do I include the employer's address?
It's standard in a formal letter layout to list the employer's name, title, company and the address of the office you're applying to, but follow the posting. For online forms or emails you may not need the full block.
How do I address a cover letter if I don't know the name?
Try the job posting, the company website or LinkedIn first. If you can't find one, use "Dear Hiring Manager" or a similar generic title and avoid "To whom it may concern."
Should I write "Sincerely" or "Yours truly"?
"Sincerely" is the standard closing in Canadian university guidance. Follow it unless the employer's style suggests otherwise.
Do I need a cover letter if the job doesn't ask for one?
Career centres generally recommend including one with your resume. If the application says not to, don't send one.
Should the cover letter match my resume?
Yes. Use the same header, font and style so the two documents look like a matched set.
Should I send it as PDF or Word?
Follow the posting. If there's no instruction, a PDF is usual; name the file with your full name and the position. When emailing, you can combine the letter and resume into one PDF.
Your next step
Copy the template, fill in the job title and two examples from your own experience, then trim to one page. Read it aloud once, and match the header to your resume before you send.
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Your next steps
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