Civic Maple is owned and operated by Maple Lane Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (Ontario Business Registry number 1002847593), with its registered office at Suite 402, 151 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2W7, Canada. This page explains how the publication is funded, how advertising and affiliate links are managed, and how editorial independence is protected. Jonathan MacDonald, Editor-in-Chief, is ultimately responsible for maintaining the boundary between commercial activity and editorial content.
Who owns and funds Civic Maple?
Civic Maple is wholly owned by Maple Lane Media Inc., a Canadian corporation registered in Ontario. The publication is funded through display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships, and content licensing. No single funder or advertiser controls editorial output.
Revenue is generated from multiple sources to ensure the publication remains financially sustainable without relying on any one stream. Display advertising and affiliate links provide ongoing income, while commercial partnerships and sponsored content are accepted only when they align with the editorial mission. Content licensing and newsletter sponsorships supplement these channels. A detailed breakdown of ownership structure and funding sources is available on the Ownership & Funding page.
How does Civic Maple use affiliate links?
Civic Maple may include affiliate links in articles, which means the publication may earn a small commission if a reader clicks and makes a purchase. All affiliate links are clearly disclosed within the article or in a prominent notice adjacent to the link. Affiliate relationships never influence editorial decisions or story selection.
When a writer or editor includes an affiliate link, the disclosure is placed in plain language so readers understand the commercial arrangement. The commission structure does not affect the product, service, or retailer selected for coverage. Oliver Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, reviews affiliate disclosures as part of the pre-publication process. The full policy governing sponsored and commercially influenced content is documented in the Sponsored Content Policy.
What is the role of display advertising?
Display advertising is one of several revenue streams that support Civic Maple’s journalism. Advertisements are clearly distinguished from editorial content by visual treatment, placement, and labelling. Advertisers have no influence over news coverage, story selection, or the framing of any article.
All display ads are served through managed placements and are reviewed to ensure they meet basic brand-safety standards. Advertisements are never presented in a way that mimics editorial content. Readers who encounter an ad that appears misleading or inappropriate are encouraged to report it to the contact page or directly to the standards team.
How is editorial independence maintained?
Editorial independence is guaranteed by a strict separation between commercial operations and the newsroom. No advertiser, sponsor, partner, or funder is permitted to determine editorial conclusions, story selection, or the framing of any article. The newsroom reports to the Editor-in-Chief, not to the commercial team.
All revenue-generating relationships, including display advertising, affiliate links, and sponsored content, are governed by written agreements that explicitly prohibit interference with editorial judgement. Sponsored content is clearly labelled as such and is produced under a separate approval process that does not involve the newsroom. The Editorial Policy sets out the full framework for maintaining this separation, including the role of the Editor-in-Chief in resolving any boundary disputes.
Who can I contact about advertising and partnerships?
For advertising inquiries, email advertising@civicmaple.com. For partnership and sponsorship opportunities, email partnerships@civicmaple.com. General commercial enquiries can also be sent to info@civicmaple.com. All commercial correspondence is handled by the business operations team, separate from the newsroom.
Advertising and partnership enquiries typically receive a response within two business days. The commercial team can provide media kits, rate cards, and information about sponsored content opportunities. Readers with concerns about specific advertisements or commercial arrangements may contact the complaints procedure or email complaints@civicmaple.com.
Our commitments
- We clearly label all sponsored and commercial content so readers can distinguish it from independent journalism.
- We disclose all affiliate links within individual articles in plain language at the point of use.
- We maintain a strict operational separation between advertising sales and editorial decision-making.
- We do not allow advertisers, sponsors, or funders to determine editorial conclusions, story selection, or article framing.
- We review and update this disclosure policy annually and publish any material changes promptly.