CANADIAN GOVERNMENT SITES

This section contains links to government-sponsored sites: both research and political sites. This includes the parliamentary websites, and site access for contacting federal, provincial and municipal politicians.

The Government of Canada ’s Parliamentary Web Site (www.parl.gc.ca ) contains historical and contemporary information about Parliament, and daily updates on bills discussed in the House of Commons and the Senate. Statistics pages let you search for answers to questions such as how many Aboriginal and First Nations people sit in Parliament? How many women MPs are there? From this site, you can look up Members of Parliament (www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/mpscur.asp) and find information about how to contact them.

Status of Women Canada (www.swc-cfc.gc.ca ) is the federal government agency that promotes gender equality, and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country. SWC focuses its work in three areas: improving women's economic autonomy and well-being, eliminating systemic violence against women and children, and advancing women's human rights. The site contains information on gender-based analysis; news releases, and a list of downloadable or on-order free publications.

The Gender-based Analysis Directorate (www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/gba-acs ) of Status of Women Canada was created to accelerate gender-based analysis implementation across the federal government. The Gender-based Analysis Directorate helps ensure that all federal departments and agencies incorporate gender-based analysis into all of their policy and program development activities. This site offers an example of how governments define ‘gender’ as a category of analysis.

The National Library of Canada ’s (www.nlc-bnc.ca/digiproj/women/ewomen.htm) site on Celebrating Women’s Achievements is an archive of information about famous women in Canada and their accomplishments. Short stories about each woman are easy to locate and include those who have excelled in the arts, science and technology, the Olympics, and politics.

Statistics Canada ( www.statcan.ca ) is a good place to start for any statistics-based research. The site provides many downloadable documents as well as information about email ordering. You will also find daily updates on the state of the economy, employment rates and many other issues.

Which Member of Provincial Parliament ( www.ontla.on.ca/Members/mailing_addresses/index.htm ) (MPP) in Ontario represents you? Search this list of the Ontario Legislature membership to find names and contact information. MPPs are classified alphabetically and by party affiliation.

The Ontario Women's Directorate ( www.gov.on.ca/mczcr/owd ) provides focus for government action on issues of concern to women - in particular, social, economic and justice-related issues. A division of the Ministry of Citizenship, the OWD has two key areas of activity: preventing violence against women and promoting women's economic independence . On this site you will find information about the OWD partnerships with various sectors of society, including the funding programmes that the Directorate provides. The page also includes a Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] page and a guide to government services for women in Ontario .

Toronto City Council is comprised of the Mayor and 44 City Councillors ( app.city.toronto.on.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp ) , one representing each of the city's wards. The council is the main governing and legislative body for the city. City Councillors also sit on committees and on community councils in the area where they have been elected. Type in your home address at this site to find the name and contact information for your City Councillor.