Help Desk

This is our Help Desk for constituents. Click for more information on the following:

• Citizenship/Immigration
• CPP, Disability, OAS
• Disability Tax Credit
• Federal Funding Programs
• Employment/HRSDC
• Passports
• Other Government Contacts
• Revenue Canada
• Student Loans
• Workers’ Compensation/WCB
• Miscellaneous

Please contact us if you have further questions: (604) 664-9229.

 

Citizenship

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is Canada’s official source of citizenship and immigration information. For information about emigrating to Canada and visas for work, study and visiting, please visit the CIC website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/. You can also learn more about Canadian citizenship and/or becoming a Canadian citizen.

If you have further questions about immigration issues, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

CPP, Disability, OAS

CPP

Please visit sections of the Social Development Canada website for detailed information about the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

For information about general retirement benefits, please go to the CPP general benefits section at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/cpp/cpptoc.shtml.

For information about CPP Disability eligibility and benefits, please go to the CPP Disability section at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/oas-cpp/cpp_disability/index.shtml.

If you have further questions about CPP or CPP Disability benefits, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

OAS

The Old Age Security (OAS) program, the cornerstone of Canada’s retirement income system, provides you with a modest pension at age 65 if you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years. If you are a low-income earner, you may be eligible for other benefits as early as age 60.

For detailed OAS information, please visit Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s OAS website at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/oas/oastoc.shtml.

If you have further questions about OAS, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Disability Tax Credit

In our community, thousands of people with disabilities have never been made aware that they are eligible for an important tax credit that often includes a significant refund. It’s time Hamiltonians learned about their legitimate entitlement under the Income Tax Act.

Some of you may already know that the Income Tax Act provides a non-refundable Disability Tax Credit to all eligible individuals. This tax credit could be as high as $1,400 per year applied against any income tax you may owe. If you are eligible, this claim can be made retroactively for up to ten years!

I want to make sure that every eligible Mountain resident knows how to access this legitimate entitlement under the Income Tax Act.

It doesn’t matter whether your disability is the result of a workplace injury, an accident, declining health, or a chronic condition.

If you, or your spouse, meet one of the following conditions, you may be eligible for this credit:

• you are unable to walk normally for 100 meters (which is the length of a football field) without angina, pain, the need of a cane, wheelchair or walker;
• you have vision loss in excess of 20%;
• you are markedly restricted in communicating;
• you are unable to hear clearly, even with hearing aids;
• you require assistance in feeding;
• you are unable to bathe or fully dress yourself without assistance;
• you have poor bladder or bowel functioning;
• you have problems perceiving instructions, thinking, or remembering (eg.: people suffering from Dementia or Alzheimers);
• you need life-sustaining therapies such as kidney dialysis or chemotherapy 3 or more times a week.

Remember, you don’t need to be in a wheelchair to be eligible.

For more information on the Disability Tax Credit and to obtain a copy of the General Income Tax and Benefit Guide and the Information Concerning People with Disabilities Guide, please contact your local Tax Services Office or visit the Canada Customs and Revenue web site at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4064/rc4064-e.html.

 

Federal Funding Programs

Social Development Canada’s Grants and Contributions programs serves Canadians individually and in organizations.

To research grants and contributions, please visit the Grants and Contributions website at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/gc.shtml.

If you have further questions about federal funding programs, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Employment/HRSDC

EI (Employment Insurance) provides temporary financial assistance for unemployed Canadians while they look for work or upgrade their skills. Canadians who are sick, pregnant or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by EI.

Please visit the EI website at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/ei/menu/eihome.shtml.

You may also complete your EI reports online by going to http://www100.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ae-ei/dem-app/english/home2.html.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is responsible for providing all Canadians with the tools they need to thrive and prosper in an inclusive labor market.

Please visit the Service Canada website at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca

Here you’ll find Canadian employment opportunities, how to post a job as an employer, information about hiring foreign workers, program and funding opportunities, and work search tools and tips.

If you have further questions, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Passports

This site contains helpful tips to successfully complete a passport application, forms, photo specifications, and processing time.

You’ll also find helpful information about traveling to the US and Mexico and general travel tips.

To learn more about how to apply for a Canadian passport, please visit the Passport Canada website at http://www.ppt.gc.ca/. You can also apply for your passports online at http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=Canada

If you have further questions about obtaining a passport, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Revenue Canada

Please visit the Revenue Canada website at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/.
Here you’ll find detailed and easy-to-follow information about individual and business taxation questions, child and family benefits, and quick links to useful related sites.

You can also subscribe to free electronic mailing lists to stay informed about updates to various tax topics.

If you have further questions about Revenue Canada, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Student Loans

The Canada Student Loans Program promotes accessibility to post-secondary education by helping Canadian students with a demonstrated financial need to access loans and grants.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply for student loans and grants, please visit Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Student Loans website at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/learning/canada_student_loan/index.shtml.

If you have further questions about student loans, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Workers' Compensation

Please visit the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) website at http://www.wsib.on.ca, where you’ll find detailed information about the Ontario Workers’ Compensation Board.

WSIB exists to promote workplace health and safety for workers and employers in Ontario. The organization’s website contains information on available services, payroll and pay premiums, reporting a workplace incident or injury, registering and paying for coverage, and checking the status of a claim.

If you have further questions about WCB issues, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.

 

Miscellaneous

How do I arrange for birthday or anniversary greetings from the Queen?

If you are interested in commemorating a special birthday or anniversary, my office can help.

Just give us six weeks notice and we will send a certificate recognizing birthdays and anniversaries of friends and family. For a message from the Queen, please give us eight weeks notice.

Birthdays (please send proof of birth):
Any birthday: message from the Member of Parliament
65th and over: message from the Prime Minister
90th and over: message from the Governor General
100th and every 5th year thereafter: message from Her Majesty the Queen

Wedding Anniversaries (please send copy of marriage certificate):
Any anniversary: message from the Member of Parliament
25th and over: message from the Prime Minister
50th and over: message from Governor General
60th and 5th year thereafter: message from Her Majesty the Queen

Where do I find Social Insurance Number (SIN) information?

For Social Insurance Number (SIN) information specific to Canada, please visit the SIN website at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/index.shtml.
Here you’ll find an overview of the Government of Canada SIN program, as well as information on how to apply for a first-time number, a replacement card, or an amendment to your record and/or card.

The site also contains forms, publications, and proof-of-identity requirements for applying for a SIN.

Where do I find information about Parliament?

Please visit the Parliament of Canada website at http://www.parl.gc.ca/, which is managed jointly by the parliamentary institutions – the Senate and the House of Commons – and the Library of Parliament.

Here you’ll find information on current parliamentarians and what’s going on in the House, Senate and parliamentary committees. There are also useful links to many related areas of interest.

How do I contact the Prime Minister?

To go the Office of the Prime Minister, please visit the PMO website at http://www.pm.gc.ca/.

You’ll find contact information, news from the Prime Minister’s Office, and sections on the budget, First Ministers’ Meetings, Speech from the Throne, and economic and fiscal updates.

Am I registered to vote?

Please visit the Elections Canada Voter Registration Site on the Elections Canada website at http://www.elections.ca to verify your voter status.

This site contains the National Register of Electors, a database containing basic information – name, gender, date of birth and address — of Canadians who are qualified to vote. It is used to produce voter lists when an election is called.

The site also contains useful information about voter demographics, political parties, electoral law and policy and much more.

If you have further questions, we will do what we can to help you. Please contact us at (604) 664-9229.