Services
140 common public services, by topic
140 public services people look for in Canada, from passports to garbage day. Each page says who handles it where you live, with the official link and the date we checked it.
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, updated
Identity and documents
- Get or renew a passportFederalPassports are issued by the federal government. Many adults can renew online; others apply by mail or at a Service Canada or passport office.
- Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)FederalYou need a SIN to work in Canada and to get government benefits. Apply online, by mail or at a Service Canada office; it is free.
- Get proof of Canadian citizenshipFederalA citizenship certificate proves you are a Canadian citizen. You can apply for one, or replace a lost one, from the federal government.
- Apply for Indian status or a status cardFederalIndigenous Services Canada registers people under the Indian Act and issues the secure certificate of Indian status (status card).
- Order a birth certificateProvincial or territorialBirth certificates come from the vital statistics office of the province or territory where the birth happened, wherever you live now.
- Order a death certificateProvincial or territorialDeath certificates come from the vital statistics office of the province or territory where the death happened. The funeral home usually registers the death.
- Order a marriage certificateProvincial or territorialMarriage certificates come from the vital statistics office of the province or territory where the marriage took place.
- Legally change your nameProvincial or territorialA legal name change is made through the vital statistics office of your province or territory. Taking a spouse's name after marriage usually does not need one.
- Get a photo ID card (if you don't drive)Provincial or territorialMost provinces and territories issue a government photo ID card for people who do not have a driver's licence.
- Change your address with the provinceProvincial or territorialSome provinces update your driver's licence, health card and other records in one step when you move. Elsewhere, update each one, and tell the CRA too.
Driving and vehicles
- Pay or dispute a parking ticketMunicipalMunicipalities issue and collect most parking tickets. Pay or dispute one through your municipality.
- Public transit: routes, schedules and passesMunicipalBuses, trains and transit passes are run by your municipality or a regional transit authority.
- Get, renew or replace a driver's licenceProvincial or territorialDriver's licences are issued by your province or territory. Who issues them differs: ICBC in British Columbia, registry agents in Alberta, SGI in Saskatchewan, Manitoba Public Insurance, ServiceOntario, the SAAQ in Québec.
- Book a road test or knowledge testProvincial or territorialDriving tests are booked with the province or territory's licensing service. Study the driver's handbook first.
- Register a vehicle and renew licence platesProvincial or territorialVehicle registration and plates come from the same provincial service as driver's licences. Some provinces sell compulsory insurance with the registration.
- Get an accessible parking permitProvincial or territorialPeople with a disability that limits walking can get a permit to park in accessible spaces. Who issues it depends on the province.
- Check road conditions and closures (511)Provincial or territorialEach province and territory publishes highway conditions, closures, construction and cameras, usually by 511 online and by phone.
Health
- Go to an emergency roomHealth systemIn a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Most hospitals have an emergency department that is open all day, every day.
- See a doctor without an appointmentHealth systemWalk-in and urgent care clinics and community health centres see people without a family doctor or appointment.
- Canadian Dental Care PlanFederalThe Canadian Dental Care Plan helps cover dental care for residents who have no dental insurance and a family income below the plan's limit.
- Get help in a mental health crisis (call or text 988)FederalIf you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988, any time. It is free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.
- First Nations and Inuit health benefits (NIHB)FederalThe Non-Insured Health Benefits program covers drugs, dental, vision, medical supplies, mental health counselling and medical travel for eligible First Nations and Inuit.
- Check product, food and vehicle recallsFederalThe federal government publishes recalls and safety alerts for food, health products, consumer products and vehicles.
- Apply for or renew your health cardProvincial or territorialPublic health insurance is run by each province and territory. Apply when you move there, renew when your card expires, and replace it if lost.
- Find a family doctor or nurse practitionerProvincial or territorialMost provinces keep a waitlist that matches people without a family doctor to one who is taking patients.
- Talk to a nurse (811 health line)Provincial or territorialCall 811 in most provinces and territories for free health advice from a registered nurse, any time.
- Get help paying for prescription drugs (pharmacare)Provincial or territorialEach province and territory has a public drug plan, often for seniors, people on assistance, and anyone with high drug costs compared to income.
- Vaccines and immunization recordsProvincial or territorialPublic health offices, pharmacies and clinics give publicly funded vaccines. Your province or territory keeps your immunization record.
- Register as an organ and tissue donorProvincial or territorialEach province and territory keeps its own way to record your decision to donate organs and tissue. Tell your family too.
- Home care and community careProvincial or territorialPublicly funded home care brings nursing, personal support and therapy to people at home. Your health authority assesses what you need.
Family and children
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB)FederalA tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. Apply when your child is born or comes to live with you, and file your taxes every year to keep getting it.
- Maternity and parental benefitsFederalEmployment Insurance pays maternity and parental benefits while you are off work with a new baby or newly adopted child. In Québec, the Québec Parental Insurance Plan pays them instead.
- Register a baby's birthProvincial or territorialParents register a birth with the province or territory, usually within 30 days. Many provinces let you apply for the birth certificate, SIN and child benefits at the same time.
- Get a marriage licenceProvincial or territorialYou need a marriage licence before the ceremony. Depending on the province, it comes from a municipal office, an issuer or a government office. In Québec, a notice of marriage is published instead.
- Get help paying for child careProvincial or territorialLicensed child care costs less under the Canada-wide early learning and child care plan, and families with lower incomes can get more help. Apply through your province or territory, or in Ontario your local service manager.
- Find licensed child care or daycareProvincial or territorialProvinces and territories license child care centres and home daycares and publish where they are.
- Collect child or spousal supportProvincial or territorialEach province's maintenance enforcement program collects court-ordered or agreed support and passes it on. In Québec, Revenu Québec collects support payments.
- Report child abuse or neglectProvincial or territorialIf you think a child is being abused or neglected, report it to child protection services. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Benefits and money
- Apply for Employment Insurance (EI)FederalEI gives temporary income to people who lost their job through no fault of their own, are sick, or are caring for someone. Apply online as soon as you stop working.
- Canada Pension Plan disability benefitsFederalA monthly payment for people under 65 who have paid into the CPP and cannot work regularly because of a severe and prolonged disability. In Québec, apply to Retraite Québec.
- Canada Disability BenefitFederalA monthly federal payment for working-age people (18 to 64) with a disability who have the Disability Tax Credit and a low income.
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC)FederalA tax credit that lowers the income tax of people with a severe and prolonged impairment, or the family who supports them. It also opens other programs such as the RDSP.
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit)FederalA tax-free quarterly payment for people with low and modest incomes. It replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026. You get it automatically when you file your taxes.
- Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)FederalA refundable tax credit for people and families working on a low income. Claim it on your tax return.
- Veterans benefits and servicesFederalVeterans Affairs Canada supports veterans, RCMP members and their families with disability benefits, health care, income support and transition help.
- Find unclaimed moneyFederalThe Bank of Canada holds forgotten bank balances; search for your name for free. Uncashed government cheques can be checked in your CRA account.
- Get help with debt or bankruptcyFederalThe Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy explains your options, from consumer proposals to bankruptcy, and lists licensed insolvency trustees.
- Apply for income assistance (welfare)Provincial or territorialIf you cannot pay for food and shelter, your province or territory's income assistance program can help. In Ontario it is Ontario Works.
- Disability income support from the provinceProvincial or territorialProvinces and territories pay monthly income support to people with a disability and a low income, such as ODSP in Ontario and AISH in Alberta.
Taxes
- File your income tax returnFederalFile your personal tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency each spring, usually by April 30. Québec residents also file a separate Québec return with Revenu Québec.
- Sign in to CRA My AccountFederalCRA My Account shows your tax returns, refunds, notices of assessment, benefit payments and RRSP and TFSA room.
- Free tax clinicsFederalVolunteers at free tax clinics file simple returns for people with a modest income. Find a clinic near you.
- Register for, file and pay GST/HST (business)FederalBusinesses that earn more than $30,000 a year must register for and charge GST/HST. In Québec, Revenu Québec administers the GST along with the QST.
- Pay your property taxMunicipalIn most places your municipality bills and collects property tax. In New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and rural areas of some provinces, the province sends the bill.
Work and business
- Get a business number (BN)FederalA business number from the Canada Revenue Agency identifies your business for GST/HST, payroll, import and export, and corporate tax.
- Incorporate a business federallyFederalCorporations Canada incorporates businesses that want to operate under one name across Canada. You can also incorporate in your province.
- Register a trademark, patent or copyrightFederalThe Canadian Intellectual Property Office registers trademarks, patents, industrial designs and copyrights.
- Get a municipal business licenceMunicipalMany municipalities require a licence to run a business, a home-based business or a short-term rental.
- Find a job (Job Bank)FederalJob Bank is the federal government's free job board, with job alerts, wages and outlooks for every occupation.
- Apply for a federal government jobFederalThe Public Service Commission posts federal public service jobs and student programs on GC Jobs.
- Join the Canadian Armed ForcesFederalThe Canadian Armed Forces recruit full-time and part-time (Reserve) members in more than 100 careers.
- Hire a temporary foreign worker (LMIA)FederalMost employers need a Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada before hiring a foreign worker.
- Sell to the federal governmentFederalCanadaBuys lists federal tenders and explains how businesses can register as suppliers and bid.
- Unpaid wages after an employer's bankruptcyFederalThe Wage Earner Protection Program pays eligible workers wages owed when their employer goes bankrupt or into receivership.
- Register a business name or incorporateProvincial or territorialRegister a sole proprietorship, partnership or business name with your province or territory, or incorporate there. Federal incorporation is a separate option.
- Report a workplace injury (workers' compensation)Provincial or territorialIf you are hurt or become ill because of work, tell your employer and file a claim with the workers' compensation board of your province or territory.
- Your rights at work: pay, hours, leave and firingProvincial or territorialProvincial and territorial employment standards set minimum wage, overtime, vacation, leaves and notice of termination. File a complaint if you are owed money. Federally regulated jobs follow the Canada Labour Code.
- Get help finding a job or trainingProvincial or territorialProvincial and territorial employment centres help with job searches, resumes, training and apprenticeships, for free.
- Become an apprentice or get certified in a tradeProvincial or territorialProvinces and territories register apprentices, set trade exams and issue certificates of qualification, including the Red Seal.
Housing and property
- Get a building or renovation permitMunicipalYour municipality issues building, renovation, demolition, deck, fence and pool permits, and inspects the work.
- Zoning, land use and development applicationsMunicipalYour municipality sets zoning and decides rezoning, minor variance, subdivision and site plan applications.
- Save for and buy your first homeFederalThe First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and the Home Buyers' Plan help first-time buyers save tax-free for a home.
- Search or register a land titleProvincial or territorialEach province keeps the official record of who owns land and what is registered against it. Searches usually cost a small fee.
- Check or appeal your property assessmentProvincial or territorialYour property's assessed value sets your property tax. Depending on the province, a provincial agency or your municipality assesses it, and you can ask for a review if you disagree.
- Renting: rules, rent increases, evictions and disputesProvincial or territorialEach province and territory sets the rules for renting and runs a board or office that settles disputes between landlords and tenants.
- Apply for social or affordable housingProvincial or territorialRent-geared-to-income and affordable housing is run by provincial and territorial housing agencies, often through local housing providers. Waitlists can be long.
Home and neighbourhood
- Garbage, recycling and compost pickupMunicipalYour municipality (or regional district) collects garbage, recycling and green bin waste. Check your collection day and what goes where.
- Drop off large items, electronics or hazardous wasteMunicipalLandfills, transfer stations and depots take what curbside collection does not: furniture, appliances, electronics, paint, batteries and chemicals.
- Pay your water and sewer billMunicipalMost municipalities bill for water and sewer service, often with a meter. Some bill it with property tax.
- Report a water main break, sewer backup or boil water problemMunicipalYour municipality runs the water and sewer system. Report breaks, no water, backups, flooding and water quality concerns.
- Report a pothole, streetlight or sidewalk problemMunicipalYour municipality maintains local roads, sidewalks, streetlights and traffic signals. Provincial highways are the province's.
- Snow clearing and winter parking bansMunicipalYour municipality plows and salts local roads and sidewalks, and announces snow routes and overnight parking bans.
- Get a residential or visitor parking permitMunicipalMany municipalities issue on-street parking permits for residents and visitors.
- Get a dog or cat licenceMunicipalMost municipalities require dogs, and many require cats, to be licensed each year.
- Lost pets, stray animals and animal complaintsMunicipalMunicipal animal services (or a contracted shelter) handle lost and found pets, strays, dog bites, barking and wildlife problems.
- Report a noise or bylaw problemMunicipalMunicipal bylaw officers handle noise, property standards, long grass, illegal dumping, parking on lawns and similar complaints.
- Contact your municipality (311)MunicipalMany cities answer questions and take service requests at 311; elsewhere, call or visit the town or city hall.
- Sign up for recreation programs and swimming lessonsMunicipalYour municipality runs pools, arenas, community centres and parks, with programs, lessons, camps and drop-in times.
- Get a library cardMunicipalPublic libraries are free. A card gives you books, e-books, internet, programs and often free passes.
- Get a burning or fire permitMunicipalMunicipal fire departments issue permits for open-air and backyard burning. In forest areas and during fire bans, provincial rules also apply.
Education
- Register a child for schoolSchool boardPublic schools are run by school boards (school divisions or districts). Register with the board for your address; language and faith boards may overlap.
- School buses, delays and school closuresSchool boardSchool boards, or the transportation groups they run together, plan bus routes and announce delays, cancellations and closures.
- Canada Student Loans and GrantsFederalFederal student grants and loans for college and university. You apply through your province or territory, and repay through the National Student Loans Service Centre.
- Save for a child's education (RESP and Canada Learning Bond)FederalThe government adds money to Registered Education Savings Plans. Families with low income can get the Canada Learning Bond, up to $2,000, without putting in any money.
- Apply for student loans and grantsProvincial or territorialApply through your province or territory for student aid for college, university or trade school. In most of them, one application covers both provincial and federal loans and grants.
- Get a high school transcript or diploma copyProvincial or territorialDepending on the province, transcripts come from the education ministry or from your last school or school board.
Justice and safety
- Contact the police (non-emergency)MunicipalIn an emergency, call 911. For anything else, contact the police service for your area: a municipal force, or a provincial force or RCMP detachment under contract.
- Get a criminal record check (police check)MunicipalPolice services for your area do criminal record and vulnerable sector checks for jobs and volunteering. Some can be done online.
- Apply for a record suspension (pardon)FederalThe Parole Board of Canada can order a criminal record kept separate, so it does not show in most checks, once you have finished your sentence and waited.
- Get a firearms licence (PAL)FederalThe RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program issues possession and acquisition licences, after a safety course, and registers restricted firearms.
- Report a scam or fraudFederalReport scams, fraud and identity theft to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and to your local police.
- Sue for a small amount (small claims)Provincial or territorialSmall claims courts and tribunals settle money disputes, such as unpaid bills, deposits or damage, without needing a lawyer. The limit differs by province.
- Get legal aidProvincial or territorialLegal aid gives free or low-cost legal help to people with low incomes, mainly for criminal, family and immigration matters.
- Make a human rights complaintProvincial or territorialIf you faced discrimination at work, in housing or in services, complain to your province or territory's human rights commission or tribunal. Federally regulated employers and services go to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
- Complain about a business (consumer protection)Provincial or territorialProvincial and territorial consumer protection offices explain your rights and take complaints about businesses, contracts and scams.
- Emergency alerts and how to prepareProvincial or territorialYour province or territory's emergency management office issues alerts and evacuation orders for floods, wildfires and storms, and helps you prepare.
Environment and outdoors
- Visit or camp in a national parkFederalParks Canada runs national parks, historic sites and marine areas. Buy a pass and reserve campsites online.
- Boating: operator card and pleasure craft licenceFederalYou need proof of competency, such as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, to drive a motorboat. Boats with motors of 10 hp (7.5 kW) or more also need a Pleasure Craft Licence from Transport Canada, which has a fee and lasts 5 years.
- Register a drone and get a drone pilot certificateFederalEvery drone of 250 g or more must be registered with Transport Canada. Pilots of drones up to 150 kg need a drone pilot certificate.
- Weather forecasts and alertsFederalEnvironment and Climate Change Canada issues the official forecasts and weather warnings, plus air quality and UV.
- Buy a fishing licenceProvincial or territorialProvinces and territories sell recreational fishing licences for fresh water. In British Columbia's tidal waters and some other fisheries, the federal government issues the licence.
- Buy a hunting licenceProvincial or territorialHunting licences, tags and draws are run by each province or territory. First-time hunters need a hunter education course.
- Reserve a campsite in a provincial or territorial parkProvincial or territorialProvincial and territorial parks take campsite and cabin reservations online. Popular parks book up the day reservations open.
- Wildfire status and fire bansProvincial or territorialProvinces and territories track wildfires and set fire bans and restrictions on campfires and burning.
Immigration, citizenship and travel
- Apply for Canadian citizenshipFederalPermanent residents who have lived in Canada long enough can apply to become citizens, take the citizenship test and attend a ceremony.
- Renew or replace a permanent resident cardFederalPermanent residents renew or replace their PR card with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- Immigrate to Canada (permanent residence)FederalExpress Entry and other federal programs lead to permanent residence. Provinces and Québec also select immigrants.
- Sponsor a family member to immigrateFederalCitizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, partner, dependent child, and in some cases parents and grandparents.
- Visit Canada: visitor visa or eTAFederalMost visitors need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to come to Canada.
- Get a study permitFederalInternational students need a study permit to study in Canada for more than six months.
- Get a work permitFederalMost people who are not citizens or permanent residents need a work permit to work in Canada.
- Claim refugee protectionFederalPeople in Canada who fear returning to their home country can make a refugee claim, online from inside Canada or at a port of entry.
- Check an immigration or citizenship applicationFederalCheck processing times and the status of an application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- Free help for newcomers: settlement services and language classesFederalFederally funded organizations help permanent residents and refugees settle: jobs, housing, schools, and free English or French classes. In Québec, the province runs these services.
- Travel advice and advisoriesFederalCheck the official travel advisory for any country before you go, and register as a Canadian abroad.
- Get emergency help while outside CanadaFederalCanadians in trouble abroad can contact the nearest embassy or consulate, or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre at any time.
- Crossing the border: declare goods, duty and NEXUSFederalThe Canada Border Services Agency sets what you can bring into Canada and the duty you pay. It also runs NEXUS with the United States and posts border wait times.
- Immigrate through a province or territoryProvincial or territorialProvinces and territories nominate immigrants for permanent residence through their own programs. Québec selects its own immigrants.
Voting and democracy
- Vote in a federal electionFederalElections Canada runs federal elections. Check that you are registered, find where to vote, and vote by mail or in advance.
- Vote in a municipal electionMunicipalYour municipality runs elections for mayor and council (and often school trustees). Check the voters' list and where to vote.
- Find your Member of Parliament (MP)FederalSearch by postal code to find your MP and how to contact their constituency office.
- Find your mayor and city councillorMunicipalYour municipality lists the mayor and council members, which ward you are in, and council meeting agendas.
- Request government records (access to information)FederalAnyone can request records held by federal institutions under the Access to Information Act, or their own personal information under the Privacy Act. Provinces have their own laws for their records.
- Vote in a provincial or territorial electionProvincial or territorialEach province and territory has its own elections agency. Check that you are registered and find where to vote.
- Find your member of the provincial or territorial legislatureProvincial or territorialFind your MLA (MPP in Ontario, MNA in Québec, MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador) and how to contact their office.
Seniors
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pensionFederalA monthly pension for people who worked and paid into the CPP, from as early as 60. People who worked in Québec get the Québec Pension Plan from Retraite Québec.
- Old Age Security (OAS) pensionFederalA monthly payment from age 65 for most people who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18. Many are enrolled automatically.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)FederalA monthly payment, on top of OAS, for seniors with a low income. The Allowance helps some people aged 60 to 64.
- Apply for a long-term care homeProvincial or territorialPublicly funded long-term care homes (nursing homes) are reached through an assessment by your health authority or home care program, not by applying to a home directly.
- Provincial income top-ups for low-income seniorsProvincial or territorialSeveral provinces and territories add a monthly or yearly payment for seniors with a low income, on top of OAS and GIS.
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Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Public services in Canada, by topic", updated 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services