As per membership content and submission guidelines, the Travel Media Association of Canada’s National Awards Program only accepts paid-for work.

Acceptable proof of payment includes, but is not limited to:

• Invoices or receipts from publishers, editors, or clients
• Purchase orders or payment confirmations (e.g., PayPal, e-transfer screenshots, direct deposit records)
• Paid partnership or sponsorship agreements (e.g., brand collaborations, influencer contracts)
• Licensing agreements for photography or video use
• Proof of freelance assignment (e.g., email with payment terms)
• Advertising or affiliate agreements connected to your travel content
• Proof of advertising on your self-published website, correlating with the written or visual content
• Proof of “Paid Partnership” disclosure on social media content 
• Website advertising revenue statements (e.g., Google AdSense, Mediavine)
• Subscription-based or paywalled content payment summaries (e.g., Substack, Patreon)
• Sponsored campaign briefs or deliverables confirming paid collaboration
• Any other documentation clearly showing payment was made in exchange for your published work

Note: You do not need to disclose the amount paid — sensitive information can be redacted. The documentation must simply verify that the work was paid for.

Note: Recognition Awards and the People’s Choice Photo categories do not require proof of compensation.