All in all, Canada is a basic country. Ten provinces. Three territories. Two official languages. Oceans on three sides, the U.S. to the South of the 49 th parallel from B.C. to the Great Lakes, and then the border’s dead centre down the lakes all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Physically, it’s fairly self explanatory.
Mentally, politically, socially, it’s not as easy to explain, although I have to give the Canadian government credit for trying to be all things to all people on its official Web site for trying.
You probably don’t visit there much, and are probably getting a little sleepy thinking about it. But it’s a really useful site. I swear.
You can file your tax return, order a new passport or SIN card, or get in touch with your Member of Parliament. You can read the latest statistics, check your legal rights (when in doubt), and apply for any number of grants, bursaries, small business loans, or other government giveaways. There’s news, history, Environment Canada’s weather reports, and links to just about everywhere.
It’s all in there and more. Grab a cup coffee and get ready to take the tour.
Better make that two cups.
www.canada.gc.ca
It should really have been Canada.com, but that got snapped up by the CanWest Global Communications Corp. Even Canada.ca would have made sense, but that’s a restricted name according to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority. Canada.gc.ca it is then.
It’s not going to be a fun browse, but it can be an efficient one providing you know what you want and where to go – there’s so much information on this site that you could literally get lost if you don’t go insane first.
The slogan of this site is "Services For You" and they mean it.
File Your Tax Return
On the Canadian Government home page, click on "Canadians" to get an alphabetical list of all the services offered. Under the T’s, find Taxes and click on it. This takes you to the Canadian Customs and Revenue Service site where you can all the information you need on taxes and how to file them electronically by e-mail or Internet, or by using your phone.
The main benefit of E-Filing or NetFiling your taxes is ease of use and a faster refund.
Get I.D.
I broke my Social Insurance Number card when I was in grade school trying to break into my own house after I lost my key for the 50th time. I think I saw Michael do it on Night Rider.
Under the "Canadians" menu once again, select "Life Events". On this one page you can order a new birth certificate, driver’s license, Canadian Citizenship Certificate, Health Card, Senior’s Card, Passport, SIN card, or Immigration Record of Landing.
If you just need a passport or other piece of I.D. renewed, you can navigate to the site using the "Life Events" section as a jumping point.
Get In Touch With An MP
Although it may not feel that way at times, we live in a democracy. As such we have the right to express our concerns to our democratically elected representative. And they have an obligation to acknowledge those concerns.
In the Canadians section there’s a toolbar on the left of the Web page. Click on Government Contacts.
From here you can find your MP by using your postal code, and a complete directory of e-mail addresses within the Canadian government.
Find Government Services, Forms
In the same toolbar, click on E-Forms and Services. You can find electronic information, an extensive range of e-services, and a complete list of forms available on a wide range of topics.
You can complain about your flight at Air Travel Complaints, use a credit card costs calculator, complain about deceptive advertising, apply for child tax benefits, check the weather, make maps, calculate the cost of using an appliance over a long term, or apply for student loans and student loan relief. There are literally hundreds of services to choose from on a wide range of topics. Check it out and see what you can use.
Get Justice
On the Canadians site, there’s a link called Justice and the Law in the alphabetical directory. This area has information on everything, from the complete Charter of Rights and Freedoms to the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP to Environmental Law Enforcement.
Get Statistics
Statistics Canada keeps tabs on everything, from industry and business statistics to the number of pets in the country.
On the left toolbar, there’s an A to Z directory of the government site. You can either go there and scroll down to Statistics Canada, or type www.statcan.ca into your browser.
Find Out Anything About Canada
On the top toolbar, there’s a little About Canada button. Hit it and prepare to be swamped with Canadiana.
Everything Else
If you can’t find what you need from this tour, you can always use the Search tool. It’s in there somewhere.
