Canadian Government Services
By Susan Munroe, About.com Guide to Canada Online
Governments in Canada provide a mass of useful services and information resources to help Canadians in their daily lives. Because there are so many, it's not always easy to find the right government department or service to answer your specific needs. These resources are designed to help you find your way through the government maze and give you the information you need to know about Canadian government services.
- Canadian Travel Services
- Canada Customs at the Border
- Canadian Immigration and Citizenship
- Canadian Postal Services
- Canadian Employment Services
- Canadian Income Taxes
- Government Health Care Services
- Consumer Information and Protection
Canadian Travel Services
Whether you're a Canadian travelling abroad or a visitor to Canada, the Canadian government has a variety of services and regulations to help ensure the safety of Canadians and to showcase the best that Canada has to offer.
- Apply for a Canadian Passport
- Travel Documents to Enter the U.S.
- Travel Safety for Canadians
- Registration of Canadians Abroad
- Air Travel Complaints in Canada
- Canadian No-Fly List
- Visitor Visas for Canada
- Canadian Embassies Online
- Explore Canadian Parks
- Canadian Cities in the Summer
Canada Customs at the Border
The Canada Border Services Agency provides services at more than 100 land border crossings, nine international airpors, three major marine operations, and three mail centres to ensure the safety of goods crossing the Canadian border. Here are some of the rules and regulations they administer.
- Shipping Across the Canadian Border
- Mailing Gifts to Canada
- Personal Customs Exemptions for Canadian Residents
- Bringing Alcohol Into Canada
Canadian Immigration and Citizenship
Citizenship and Immigration Canada regulates the movement of people across the Canadian border, including visitors, international students, those planning to work temporarily in Canada, and people planning to move to Canada and become Canadian citizens. The rules can be complicated, so it's best to plan well in advance.
- Canadian Immigration Act Changes 2008
- New Immigration Class for Canadian Experience
- Temporary Resident Visas for Canada
- Study Permits for International Students
- Temporary Work Permits for Canada
- ID Cards for Canadian Permanent Residents
- Apply for a Canadian Permanent Resident Card
- Check Your Canadian Immigration Status
- How to Become a Canadian Citizen
- Check Your Citizenship Application Status
- Canadian Embassies Online
Canadian Postal Services
Most postal services in Canada are provided by Canada Post, a Crown corporation of the Canadian federal government. Canada Post has more than 20,000 delivery routes in Canada and every year carries approximately 30 million kilograms (66 million pounds) of mail to destinations in Canada.
- Canadian Postal Codes
- Postal Abbreviations of Canadian Provinces
- Changing Your Mailing Address Online
- Changing Your Mailing Address at the Post Office
Canadian Employment Services
Canadian governments provide jobs, information to help you find and keep a job, programs to help you when you lose your job, and pensions for when you retire. They also set employment standards for working conditions like pay, working hours and holidays.
- Minimum Wage in Canada
- Canadian Employment Standards
- Career Choices in Canada
- Join the Canadian Armed Forces
- Join the RCMP
- Canadian Employment Insurance
- Compassionate Care Benefits
- Apply for Your Canada Old Age Security Pension
- Registered Retirement Savings Plans
Canadian Income Taxes
Millions of Canadians file their income tax returns by the April 30 deadline each year. These services from the Canada Revenue Agency and information resources will help make that task a little easier.
- Canadian Income Taxes - The Basics
- Where to Get a Canadian Income Tax Package
- Income Tax Packages for Previous Years
- RRSPs - The Great Canadian Tax Break
- RRSP Contribution Limit
- NETFILE - File Income Taxes Online
- TELEFILE - File Income Taxes by Phone
- Canadian Income Tax Service for Seniors
- Quick Access Income Tax Service
- Your Personal Income Tax Information
- Get Help With Your Canadian Income Taxes
- Free Volunteer Income Tax Clinics
- Check on Your Income Tax Refund in Canada
- How to Change Your Canadian Income Tax Return
- Children's Fitness Tax Credit
- Save Your Transit Pass
- Home Renovation Tax Credit
- First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit
- Tax Free Savings Accounts
Government Health Care Services
Canada has a national health insurance program which is delivered through thirteen provincial and territory health care insurance plans. The cost is paid through general taxes, and sometimes through health premiums. Although insured health care services vary slightly from province to province, the fundamentals are the same across the country - universal, comprehensive coverage for medically necessary hospital and physician services are provided on the basis of need.
- H1N1 Flu Shot Clinics Across Canada
- Swine Flu in Canada
- Listeriosis in Canada
- Wait Times Guarantees for Health Care
- Health Care Wait Times by Province
- Canadian Health Insurance Cards Index
- Provincial Health Care Programs Index
- Provincial Prescription Drug Programs Index
- Risks of Buying Prescription Drugs Online
- Travel Health and Safety for Canadians
- Medical Marijuana Regulations in Canada
Consumer Information and Protection
Both the federal and provincial governments in Canada have departments and organizations whose main purpose is to protect the consumer. Some departments make regulations for public safety, others provide warnings and alerts. Many provide useful advice on getting the most for your money, and in some cases they provide advice on how to make complaints or a complaint process.
