E-Government Information Literacy for New Chinese Immigrants Yanli Li

Agenda Introduction Government information needs Government system Government information search

Introduction- Immigrants in Richmond Figure 1: Immigrants in Richmond ( Census) Produced by Yanli Li Data source: BCStats (2012)

Chinese Immigrants in Richmond Figure 2 Immigrants in Richmond by Birthplace Produced by Yanli Li Data source: BCStats(2008) Note: Eastern Asia excludes China & Hong Kong

Introduction Different system of the Canadian government Government information and services mostly available online Skills required to access government information Objectives Know more about the government system Better find government information

Government Information Needs What kind of information do you need as new comers?

Government Information Needs Literature Review- 5 areas Healthcare Transportation Education Employment Language learning

Government Information Needs Examples of specific needs Obtaining Permanent Residence Card Obtaining a SIN card Obtaining a MSP card Applying for the CCTB and the GST/HST credit Registering children for a school Finding transport availability and schedule

Government Information Needs Job search and interview skills training ESL assessment and classes Student loan application Income tax return Foreign credentials verification Business start-up

Canada’s System of Government Three levels of government  Federal  Provincial/Territorial  Municipal What level of government is responsible for what services found in a typical city?

Group Activity How does Canada's system of government affect me? Work in groups of 4-5 Discuss briefly Match the services with appropriate level of government Regroup and talk about your thoughts

Responsibilities of Government FEDERAL Radio and Telecommunication Food Safety Agriculture Transportation Safety National Defence Postal Service Banking * Shared responsibilities: agriculture, immigration and some aspects of natural resources

PROVINCIAL Environmental Services Energy Production Hunting and Fishing Provincial Court Health Care Charitable Institutions Driver’s Licences

Responsibilities of Government MUNICIPAL Water and Sewer Services Garbage Collection City Parks Fire Prevention Roads and Sidewalks Building Permits and Zoning Libraries Local police Street lighting

BC Government Ministries (16)

BC Government Ministries Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Ministry of Advanced Education Ministry of Attorney General Ministry of Children and Family Development Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Ministry of Social Development Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

BC Government Organizations TransLink (planning trip in the Metro Vancouver) Transport Canada (Boating licence) WorkSafeBC (workplace safety, report an emergency or workplace incident) BC Housing (Affordable Housing Options) BC Hydro (Set up paperless billing and online payment) BC Public Service Agency (employment application for a provincial government job) BC Industry Training Authority (trades training programs for immigrants) ……

Government Information Search Steps: Know about your information needs Determine which ministry or agency is responsible for offering such service Go to the website of that ministry or organization, or search by services on BC Government Homepage

Government Information Search Search by Ministries & Organizations BC Government Homepage: Click on “Government” on the top left corner Click on “Ministries&Organizations” on the top bar or in the middle Access information within specific government websites Or search for services or forms on Homepage by clicking on “Ministries”.

BC Government Information Search

Search by Services Go to BC Government Homepage Browse Services in the middle section Find services in your area Links to popular services on the right side

Can I Google it?

Tips Find gov.bc.ca in the URL! Exceptions:

Good Luck

Acknowledgement Thanks to Professor Luanne Freund and Colleen Addison for their ideas about the E-Government Information workshop