E-Government Information Literacy for New Chinese Immigrants

Yanli Li

Agenda

IntroductionGovernment information needsGovernment systemGovernment information search

Introduction- Immigrants in Richmond

Figure 1: Immigrants in Richmond (1986-2006 Census)Produced by Yanli Li Data source: BCStats (2012)

Chinese Immigrants in Richmond

Figure 2 Immigrants in Richmond by BirthplaceProduced by Yanli LiData source: BCStats(2008)Note: Eastern Asia excludes China & Hong Kong

IntroductionDifferent system of the Canadian governmentGovernment information and services mostly

available onlineSkills required to access government

informationObjectives

Know more about the government systemBetter find government information

Government Information Needs

What kind of information do you need as new comers?

Government Information NeedsLiterature Review- 5 areas HealthcareTransportationEducationEmploymentLanguage learning

Government Information NeedsExamples of specific needsObtaining Permanent Residence CardObtaining a SIN cardObtaining a MSP card Applying for the CCTB and the GST/HST

creditRegistering children for a schoolFinding transport availability and

schedule

Government Information Needs

Job search and interview skills training ESL assessment and classes Student loan applicationIncome tax returnForeign credentials verificationBusiness 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 ActivityHow does Canada's system of

government affect me?

Work in groups of 4-5 Discuss brieflyMatch the services with appropriate level of

government Regroup and talk about your thoughts

Responsibilities of Government

FEDERALRadio and TelecommunicationFood SafetyAgricultureTransportation SafetyNational DefencePostal ServiceBanking

* Shared responsibilities: agriculture, immigration and some aspects of natural resources

PROVINCIAL

Environmental ServicesEnergy ProductionHunting and FishingProvincial CourtHealth CareCharitable InstitutionsDriver’s Licences

Responsibilities of Government MUNICIPALWater and Sewer

ServicesGarbage CollectionCity ParksFire PreventionRoads and SidewalksBuilding Permits and

ZoningLibrariesLocal police Street lighting

BC Government Ministries (16)• Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation (Small

BusinessBC)• Ministry of Energy and Mines (landlords and tenants

disputes)• Ministry of Environment (Hunting licence) • Ministry of Health (MSP, Fair Pharmacare, Physicians

and Family Doctors Lookup)

• Ministry of Advanced Education (StudentAidBC) 

• Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations 

• Ministry of Education

• Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government

BC Government MinistriesMinistry of Aboriginal Relations and ReconciliationMinistry 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 OrganizationsTransLink (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 needsDetermine which ministry or agency is

responsible for offering such serviceGo 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: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/Click on “Government” on the top left cornerClick on “Ministries&Organizations” on the top bar

or in the middleAccess information within specific government

websitesOr search for services or forms on Homepage by

clicking on “Ministries”.

BC Government Information Search

BC Government Information Search

Search by Services

Go to BC Government HomepageBrowse Services in the middle sectionFind services in your areaLinks to popular services on the right side

Can I Google it?

TipsFind gov.bc.ca in the URL! http://www.gov.bc.ca/bced http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri http://www.gov.bc.ca/fin http://www.bcpublicserviceagency.gov.bc.ca/ Exceptions:http://www.transitbc.com/http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/http://www.itabc.ca/http://www.bchousing.org/

Good Luck

AcknowledgementThanks to Professor Luanne Freund and

Colleen Addison for their ideas about the E-Government Information workshop