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Government of Canada

Government information by and about the Canadian Government.

For information on the latest federal election in Canada, please see our page on Canadian Elections.

Parliament

Parliament of Canada

The parliament website includes information about the history of the House of Commons and Senate, as well as news and official documents relating to parliamentary business.

The site includes information about:

Prime Minister

Information and news about current and past heads of the Canadian government.

Auditor General of Canada

Audits federal government departments and agencies, most Crown corporations, and many other federal organizations.

Department of Finance Canada

Elections Canada

Agency responsible for conducting Canadian federal elections.  Site includes information on past elections and how and where to vote in upcoming elections.

Library of Parliament

Offers information, reference and research services to parliamentarians and their staff.  Research Publications include:

  • Transition to the 42nd Parliament: Questions and Answers.
  • Understanding Parliament
  • Background Papers
  • Legislative Summaries

Privy Council Office

public service support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and its decision-making structures. 

The site includes information about:

Useful Website Description

Searchable transcript of Canadian Parliamentary Debates (“Hansard”) from 1901.

Useful Website Description

Free searchable database of digitized parliamentary publications from the 1st Session of the 1st Parliament in 1867 until coverage at sencanada.ca and ourcommons.ca begins

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Brief biographies of notable Canadians from the years 1000 to 1930.

Access:
Everywhere for everyone

Law and Court System

Useful Website Description

Links to Canadian statutes and regulations, as well as decisions of courts, boards and tribunals.

Useful Website Description

Searchable collection of cabinet orders many of which create legal procedures and regulations.  Database covers from 2002 to the present.  Orders from July 1, 1867 to 1916 are available from Library and Archives Canada.

Useful Website Description

Site for highest court in Canada includes background information, history, a virtual tour and guides to court rules and procedures.

Useful Website Description

Federal department responsible for legal matters.

Useful Website Description

Report incidents of fraud and learn to protect yourself.

Useful Website Description

Site includes border crossing and import/export regulations.

Useful Website Description

Rules and procedures for immigrating to Canada or becoming a citizen.

Useful Website Description

Established to investigate the residential schools system and contribute to truth, healing and reconciliation.

Useful Website Description

National police force site includes news, statistics, history and information about RCMP programs and services.

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Provides a single point of entry to legal information, education and help for people living in British Columbia.

Access:
Everywhere for everyone
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The online source for Canadian consolidated acts and regulations. These consolidations are generally updated every two weeks.

Access:
Everywhere for everyone
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Canada's most comprehensive collection of legal forms and precedents.
In-person access to Division I, Commercial and General is available online at the Central and Mount Pleasant branch locations.

Access:
At some VPL locations only

Arts and Culture

Useful Website Description

Funding agency for the arts in Canada.

Useful Website Description

Government department responsible for arts and culture.

Useful Website Description

Provides resources and service to museums and other heritage institutions across Canada.  Site includes Artists in Canada database that helps researchers find information about more than 5000 Canadian artists.

Useful Website Description

Learn about copyright, register a copyright or search for a copyright holder.

Useful Website Description

Access to a collection that includes publications, archival records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks and electronic documents.

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Public producer and distributor of films and videos for Canada. Site includes access to over 2000 films.

Useful Website Description

Funding and support for the Canadian film industry.

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Provides detailed, current information on grant making foundations, corporate community investment programs, government funding programs, and American foundations that will fund Canadian charities.

Access:
At VPL locations only
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Law and Government Subject Icon

Canada's most comprehensive collection of legal forms and precedents.
In-person access to Division I, Commercial and General is available online at the Central and Mount Pleasant branch locations.

Access:
At some VPL locations only

Business and Industry

Bank of Canada

BizPal

Find out what permits and licenses you need for your business.

Buyandsell.gc.ca

Bid on Canadian government contracts and Requests for Proposals.

Canada.ca - Business and industry

Provides resources and information to help Canadians get their businesses going and growing.

Canada Post

Canada Border Services Agency

Canada Revenue Agency

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service

Destination Canada

Canada's national tourism marketing organization.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy

Responsible for supervising all estates and matters to which the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) applies

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Law and Government Subject Icon

Provides detailed, current information on grant making foundations, corporate community investment programs, government funding programs, and American foundations that will fund Canadian charities.

Access:
At VPL locations only
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Law and Government Subject Icon

Canada's most comprehensive collection of legal forms and precedents.
In-person access to Division I, Commercial and General is available online at the Central and Mount Pleasant branch locations.

Access:
At some VPL locations only

Health and Social Services

Service Canada

Access to programs, services and benefits from the Government of Canada.

Employment and Social Development Canada

Health Canada

Indigenous Services Canada

Supports and empowers Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Maps

Natural Resources Canada

Useful Website Description

Maps of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities, land claims and treaties.

Useful Website Description

Information on how to obtain nautical charts.

Useful Website Description

Includes maps of national parks and historic sites.

Data and Statistics (Census included)

Statistics Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Statistics and Market Information

Data by product and region.

Canada Revenue Agency: Income Statistics and GST/HST Statistics


 

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Natural Resources Canada

Useful Websites

Useful Website Description

Provides and preserves open information by creating government-wide platforms and tools to ensure the discoverability and accessibility of open government information. Fully searchable.

Digital Library Resources

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Culture and History Subject Icon

Brief biographies of notable Canadians from the years 1000 to 1930.

Access:
Everywhere for everyone