Federal Government Information

Bank of Canada
This website provides some valuable background on Canadian monetary policy and our banking system. It also includes some interesting facts about currency, how to spot counterfeit bills, and plenty of other useful information.

Business and Industry
The Government of Canada’s Business and Industry website is a great source of information for owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises. Information is available on starting a business; grants and finances; regulations, licenses and permits; marketing and sales; copyright and intellectual property; and much more.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
The CBSA manages the flow of people and products across Canadian borders. This site helps sort fact from fiction when it comes to importing, exporting, and travel beyond our borders.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
This is the new home page for the Government of Canada’s tax information for individuals, businesses, charities, and trusts. Some information businesses and individuals should be aware of include:

• T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement Reporting – Significant changes have been implemented, effective with the 2014 tax reporting year, for all Canadian taxpayers (businesses and individuals) who hold any foreign property. The old rule of ignoring any foreign investments covered by T3/T5 reporting has been removed. Check out the new required rules for filing with information return with your corporate or personal taxes for 2014 and subsequent years. (See also additional information under Links & Resources – CRA Information and under Links & Resources – Other Information.)

• Changes to the rules for deducting Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Contributions – On January 1, 2012, changes to the rules for deducting CPP contributions will come into effect for people between the ages of 60 and 70. Check out this link for more information.

• Newsroom – This is your one-stop access to CRA’s news releases (current and past years), alerts, convictions, fact sheets, tax tips, among many other items. (See also some highlighted newsroom releases under Links & Resources – CRA News Alerts.)

• Tax Myths – To help the public understand the truth about taxes, the CRA has addressed some misleading statements and myths about Canada’s tax laws and the way they are administered. Check them out. Some of them might really surprise you!

• Webinars and Tax Information Videos – The CRA has a growing selection of online videos on topics for individuals and business owners.

Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)
This Government of Canada website helps small businesses access over $1 billion in loans each year. This informative site explains how the program works, who is eligible, how much funding is available, and most importantly, how to apply.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
FRAUD! … how to recognize it, report it, and stop it! Originally known as PhoneBusters, the CAFC is a combined effort of the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Competition Bureau. An excellent website that includes a wealth of information regarding Top Scams, Statistics, Information Bulletins, and a lot more.

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)
Life has never been quite the same since 9/11! FINTRAC is an independent agency, reporting to the Minister of Finance, who is accountable to Parliament for the activities of the Centre. It was created in 2000 as Canada’s financial intelligence unit and it operates within the scope of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and its Regulations.

Privacy Laws in Canada
This is the official website of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Privacy legislation in Canada has been a fact of life for quite a few years now but a surprising number of people still have little or no idea what their rights and responsibilities are. This site is an excellent starting point for anyone looking for more information.

Public Safety Canada – Emergency Management
With several large-scale natural disasters in recent years, this Federal Government website has a very helpful Emergency Management resource section. It includes preparedness checklists, risk assessment spreadsheets, communication plan templates, and much more.

Service Canada
This Government of Canada website is an excellent resource on all programs and services offered federally, including passport information, Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), GST/HST Credit, Social Insurance Number (SIN), and much more.

• Canadian Retirement Income Calculator – This online tool will provide you with retirement income information, including the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement benefits.

Travel Alerts and Tips
This is the must-check-out Government of Canada website for Canadians travelling or living abroad. It offers an ever growing wealth of information on destinations, travel documents, travel health, returning to Canada, and much more.