The federal government provides online services to help job seekers choose a career, identify training opportunities, and plan their work search.The sites provide step-by-step guides, information, links, and much more. CFEE’s VECTOR website can also help.Visit these two sites at www.jobsetc.gc.ca and www.vector.cfee.org.
There are different types of police in Canada.There are provincial police forces in Ontario and Quebec and municipal police departments in all provinces.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforce federal laws and serve as the provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec, as well as in some municipalities. *
The federal government is responsible for issuing passports.A Canadian citizen can complete a passport application at a local passport office. It can take quite a bit of time to get a passport, and there is a cost. Learn more www.ppt.gc.ca
Once an election has been called, Elections Canada mails a voter information card to each elector whose name is in the National Register of Electors.The card lists when and where you vote. Even if you do not receive a voter information card, you can still be added to the voters’ list up to the day of the election.To vote either on Election Day or at advance polls, go to the polling station listed on your voter information card.*
The Canadian government created the “Discover Canada” booklet.This booklet can help immigrants prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test.You can get this booklet online by going to www.cic.gc.ca/ english/resources/ publications/discover/ index.asp
Most communities have public libraries that are built and maintained by municipal and provincial or territorial governments. These are open to the public to use for research, leisure, access to reading material, school work, and more. Libraries are often open during the evening and provide access to books and other resources at no cost.
The federal government collects a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on many items sold in Canada. The GST is added on to your bill. GST is not charged on some items, such as insurance services. Some provinces blend the two taxes—Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and GST— together in a Harmonized Sales Tax, or HST.
The First Nations have band chiefs and councilors who have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, including housing, schools and other services.There are a number of provincial, regional and national Aboriginal organizations that are a voice for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in their relationships with the federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Service Canada Centres provide services for individuals who want to get their credentials assessed, identify their occupation’s regulatory and assessment body, and learn more about the labour market.To find the nearest Service Canada centre, call 1-888-854-1805 or go to DayPlanner web site – Link #276. www.servicecanada.gc.ca
Most urban municipal governments provide local public transit such as buses, subways, and streetcars. Users of public transit pay a fare to use the transit system. Often the exact fare or a token is required. Many larger municipal governments try to encourage use of public transit to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution caused by cars.