Major Sites Federal Information Provincial Information Municipal Information Distribution/Discussion Lists Library Catalogues Electronic Journals Guides to Canadian Government Information
by Anita Cannon, the Depository Services Program and Contributors
Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation - CDIC "CDIC is a federal Crown corporation created in 1967 to protect the money you deposit in financial institutions that are CDIC members in case of their failure." This small, easy to navigate site gives access to much consumer information through fact and information sheets, FAQs which are actual consumer questions and answers, contact information, a section detailing how deposit insurance works, a list of member institutions, an interactive deposit insurance calculator and so on. Job postings for CDIC are within the What's New section. Corporate publications include annual reports, by-laws, news releases 1995-, consultation papers, and summary of the corporate plan. Links include other consumer financial protection agencies (mostly provincial) and to international sites (IMF, FDIC, and the World Bank). (2000-02-13, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.cdic.ca/?id=100
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Canada Economic Development (CED) provides financial assistance programs and consulting services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and organizations that support them, in all regions of Quebec through a head office in Montreal and a network of 14 business offices across Quebec. In "Programs and Services" narrow your search by town and region and find economic information about the area, regional programs, and a link to an information request form. The "Media Room" contains press releases going back to 1998 searchable by region and date. Publication summaries are available in HTML with the full text in PDF format. Use the sidebar to view all that are available. By creating a username and password, customization of the page is available as is a mailing list to receive notices and so on. (2002-08-30, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/General/main.asp?LANG=EN
Canada Investment and Savings Canada Investment and Savings is a Special Operating Agency of the Department of Finance. This uncomplicated site offers some basic information on Canada Savings Bonds. Bond Interest rates are given for each bond series. Within the Consumer Home link are calculators for government bonds to determine the value of the bonds you may hold. There are also sections of FAQ's on bonds and RRIFs, which answer most questions one may have. Links to other Internet sites provide connections to the Bank of Canada and Department of Finance where similar or complimentary information may be found. Full text of the Canada Investment and Saving's '98-'99 Annual Report is available as are the most recent press releases and speeches from the Minister of Finance regarding rates, sales dates and other information. A link is provided to "Kids Can Save", a site which contains an interactive story intended to teach children the value of money. (2000-07-10, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.cis-pec.gc.ca/
Canadian Economy Online A "one-stop guide to the national economy", this Web site gathers together links to information from many federal government sources under the headings of "Resources" (Current Economy, Families & Workers, Money, Gov't & the Economy, International Issues, and About Business) and "Learn About" (Key Indicators, Economic Concepts, Key Economic Events, and Economy Overview). The Site Map is a useful feature with descriptions of the contents of each of these sections. The latest information on ten key indicators of the Canadian Economy are given on the home page. Clicking on any of these pulls up 10 years of data and instructions as how to download the data to your own PC. Economy Overview contains an excerpt from the latest Canada Yearbook. Economic Concepts contains definitions for 50 terms. Most of the sections consist of sub-headings with listings of related "partner" federal government sites. (2002-12-01, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.canadianeconomy.gc.ca/english/economy/
Consumer Connection Consumer Connection is an Office of Consumer's Affairs' site within Industry Canada's "Strategis". The side bar contains a site map and search engine for Consumer Connection itself, both very helpful to effectively access the information included on this site since there are also site map and search links to Strategis, (a large site consisting of business and consumer information), at the top of the page which may confuse the user. A long list of publications, which can be scrolled or accessed by subcategory, consist of links to some full text documents dating from the early 1990s, including the full text of all consumer-related legislation. 'Consumer Contacts' includes links to many federal, provincial, and international agencies. Consumer information can be found on a wide array of topics within 'Consumer News', the full text of the Canadian Consumer Handbook, Consumer Quarterly, articles under Featured Products, and under headings such as Recalls, Money, Consumer Tips: Services and Products, Complaining Effectively, and Calculators and Online Tools. (2000-02-27, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_consu/consaffairs/engdoc/oca.html
Department of Finance "The Department of Finance Canada is the federal department primarily responsible for providing the Government of Canada with analysis and advice on the broad economic and financial affairs of Canada." A clean, easy-to-read at a glance home page and improved site search engine are two of the many positive features of this site. The glossary of frequently used terms and extremely useful Site Map that helps locate information at a glance, are two others. The What's New section contains the latest information on many topics for the last 30 days. "About the department" details who they are, what they do, and employment opportunities. The Publications section is arranged by year of publication beginning with 1995 and includes a selection of related non-government publications. The full text of news releases and speeches are accessible through their own link on the home page as are budget publications (including economic and fiscal updates), from 1995 on, and "Notices to the Media". There is a link to a "G-20" site and a useful set of links to nationally and internationally related banking and finance information. A not often seen "using this site" section is particularly helpful to novice users. (2000-07-29, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.fin.gc.ca/
Electronic Commerce in Canada An Industry Canada, Strategis site within the Business Support and Financing area, this is the Web site of the Electronic Commerce Task Force. "In 1998, the Electronic Commerce Task Force was created to serve as a focal point and catalyst for the development of a comprehensive policy, regulatory, and legal framework, and to promote the growth and use of electronic commerce in Canada." The drop down menu "Site Categories" is a helpful feature to quickly view site content and features. On the right side bar is a "Features" area highlighting new documents and information. The "News Room" contains links to news releases, presentations, and speeches as well as a media kit and backgrounders on privacy and cryptography. The "Success Stories" section contains a searchable database of Canadian businesses that have successfully integrated Internet technology into their business operations. Stories can be submitted here as well. Links are provided to the archived site of the Canadian E-Business Opportunities Roundtable and to the G8 Digital Opportunity Task Force site. The "Resources & Links" section pulls together information and documents from other parts of the site as well as many links to international and miscellaneous resources. (2002-09-13, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://e-com.ic.gc.ca/english/index.html
Farm Credit Corporation Farm Credit Corporation (FCC) is a federal Crown Corporation, reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Established in 1959, FCC is Canada's largest agricultural term lender. "FCC's mission is to enhance rural Canada by providing specialized financial services to farming operations including family farms & small to medium-sized agribusiness - with an emphasis on personalized service." Links to a site map, search engine, online forms and contact information are easily located throughout the site. Within "About FCC" is a list of publications including links to the full-text of its annual reports, financial statements, quarterly reports, Farmland Values, and Business Contact: Financial newsletter for Canadian Farmers. This section also has employment opportunities listed and links to organizations that partner with FCC. Information about FCC services, programs, and products is provided on the site. Many agriculture-related links are included. An attractive easy-to-navigate site. (2000-02-27, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.fcc-fac.ca/english/
FedNor: The Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario FedNor is the Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario. Their mission is to "promote economic growth, diversification, job creation and sustainable, self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario, by working cooperatively with community partners and other organizations". Part of Industry Canada's Strategis site, it has links to and a search engine for Strategis. A site map for this site is located at the bottom of the home page. The site has information on various initiatives of Fed Nor plus many links to other federal government sites and non-government sites. "Starting a business", "Accessing capital", "Going International", "Technology in the North", "Community development and partnership", are some of the subcategories. A womens' issues section has links to several Web sites with information for Canadian business women. The Media Centre and Publications area contain only the full text of press releases for the last year. (2000-03-19, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/fn00800e.html
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada The FCAC was created in 2001 by the federal government to protect and educate consumers about their financial rights. It ensures all banks, credit unions, trust and loan companies and credit unions adhere to federal laws on consumer services. The home page provides quick links to consumer information, news items, and how to make a complaint about a financial institution. FCAC history, mandate, and information about who exactly they regulate is included. About the Financial Services Sector contains a Facts and Figures section linking to several fact sheets produced by the Dept. of Finance. The Resource Centre within For Consumers gives choices of subject area leading to a list of links and annotations describing various publications. Related Acts and documents are linked within the Compliance Information section. The Media Room contains the few agency publications available: "Credit Cards and You" reports and brochures on various topics. An extensive number of links (from the top tool bar) to other government and non-government departments and organizations are included. (2002-02-14, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/default.asp
Investment Canada Act The purpose of the Investment Canada Act is "to provide for the review of significant investments in Canada by non-Canadians in order to ensure such benefit to Canada. The site was created "to assist non-Canadians wishing to invest in Canada" and the "site itself only deals with, and contains absolutely everything there is available on, the Investment Canada Act". The "Other Sites" section provides links to sites such as Strategis and the Canada Business Service Centres, which provide assistance and in-depth information with regards to more industry or business-related subjects. The site contains a helpful FAQ section, online forms including PKI electronic commerce forms, and the full text of the act, regulations, guidelines etc. and summary of decisions and notifications. (2000-02-27, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://investcan.ic.gc.ca/index.htm
Kids Can Save This site for children is offered by the Canada Investment and Savings and the New Canada Savings Bonds. The Snossel of Toog is an interactive story about the value of saving. There are links to information about Canada Savings Bonds, downloads from the game for wallpaper and e-cards, and a few links to other resources and sites make up the site. (2000-11-06, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://kidscansave.gc.ca/
New Canada Saving Bonds This site features information about Canada Savings Bonds. The Everyday Tools section contains CSB interest rates, value calculators, RRSP calculator, Bond recorder, and a sign up for an email service advising you of the latest interest rates. Pull down menus feature links to various FAQs with brief answers given. The site also features a search engine, a service centre section, feedback, and newsroom which leads to a page with links to Canada Investment and Savings documents including press releases and annual reports. (2000-11-06, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.csb.gc.ca/
Office of the Auditor General of Canada The full text of the Auditor General's Annual Report to the House of Commons is here from 1992 on. It contains the findings of the Auditor General's examination of the public accounts, audits of government departments, agencies and some Crown corporations, and of studies conducted during the year. The Web site has searchable versions of the Annual Reports, media releases, and many other full text documents. Site users may request to be notified by email when new reports are released. In 1995, government created a Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development within the office of the Auditor General of Canada. "Making the government accountable for greening its policies, operations and programs is a key part of the Commissioner's mandate. ... monitors and reports annually to the House of Commons on progress toward sustainable development." The main body of the site contains documents for both the Auditor General and the Commissioner which makes for some duplication of material as there is also an area on the site dedicated to information re: the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. This is almost a site within a site with its own What's New, "Green Reports", News and Events, Publications and so on. The searchable Environmental Database is also found here which provides users with information about 48 international environmental agreements as of July 1998. (2000-06-11, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/oag-bvg.nsf/html/menue.html
Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy The Web site is part of Industry Canada's "Strategis" and has links to a Strategis site map, Main Menu and search engine. The services provided by this office are detailed within the "About OSB". Contact information for all offices as well as the full text of news releases and other related publications are available. "Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and Rules" includes the full text of these documents. "Bankruptcy Statistics" (with coverage from 1987 in some cases) provide published monthly statistics on bankruptcies, receiverships and proposals and specialized statistics including monthly trends, national profiles and annual comparisons. An Insolvency Name Search database contains a record of all bankruptcies and proposals filed in Canada from 1978 to date. This and the new Unclaimed Dividends Search System are fee based services. Links to international and other Canadian organizations dealing with insolvency are provided. (2000-03-05, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mrksv/bankrupt/engdoc/superint.html
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is the primary regulator of federal financial institutions and pension plans. The site contains extensive information on these areas with a searchable publications section. A site map helps to navigate through a vast amount of full text publications and links which include ones to the full text of applicable acts and regulations. OSFI regulates several types of financial institutions in Canada and these are listed in the "Lists" link at the bottom of the page. Information on foreign bank branching and a guide to demutualization is provided. An extensive list of links to other government and non-government organizations as well as contact information on every page is included. Sections such as "What does it mean to be a federally regulated institution" and "Summary of the regulatory process" provide clear general explanations with links to further detailed information. (2000-03-05, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/eng/default.asp?ref=home
Royal Canadian Mint The Royal Canadian Mint site is a mixture of historical information, products for sale, and general information on coins and the like. Includes information on bullion, numismatics, custom products, watches and general sales items. These are offers of products the mint has for sale but there is also considerable background information on refining and assaying work done by the mint for corporations, how to start a coin collection, in addition to how to store and clean coins. Also includes various information about the mint such as their news releases and annual reports. Includes links to numismatic societies, international "mints", and related publications. A Millennium section has links to information about the millennium coins and a "M-Zone for kids". (2000-07-29, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.mint.ca/en/index.htm?cookie%5Ftest=1
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) "The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) is a central government agency. ... its mission is to help the Government of Canada manage its human, financial, information and technology resources. ...site is the gateway to policies, directives, regulations and other documents that provide information, advice and guidance to federal departments." The Media section gives access to speeches and news releases (arranged by year). A site map is accessible through the Help page. It is a good starting point for trying to locate the vast array of information and publications on this site. Policies and Publications consists of a long list arranged by subject category with many "see also" references. An Official Languages Web site as well as many other "Sub-sites" including InfoSource are linked from the sub-sites section on the home page. The full text of major documents include reports on crown corporations, employment equity, pensions and the "Public Accounts and Estimates". The home page states that the information at the site is in the process of being restructured and so there may be broken links. (2000-07-30, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/index_e.asp
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) Western Economic Diversification Canada is "committed to helping Western Canadian small and medium-sized businesses grow, diversify, and create jobs". They focus their efforts in 4 key areas: capital services, Western Canada Business Service Network, business services, and alliances. Home page links include Tools & Guides, E-Business, Export, Financing, Legal, Points of Service, Related Links, and Events. All contain links to various documents and information for small business people in Western Canada. Information on this site is a mix of documentation from Western Diversification and information from other sources, such as Industry Canada. Press releases and other publications are linked in the Media Centre from the home page. Unfortunately there does not appear to be a site map and annoying frames make many sections difficult to read and navigate. The site is searchable. (2000-07-30, Sharon Clark, Librarian, Prince Edward Island ) Site available in English and French. http://www.wd.gc.ca/default_e.asp
Reviewed: 2003-10-09
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