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1 800 O-Canada

1 800 O-Canada is the primary telephone access point for up-to-date information on Government of Canada programs and services. Bilingual information officers use an extensive database of information to answer questions, take orders for publications and direct callers to experts in government departments.

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Overview

Information officers get comprehensive training that gives them in-depth knowledge of federal government structure. They also receive customer service and database training that helps them meet 1 800 O-Canada's service standards .

The 1 800 O-Canada database currently has information on more than 3,000 programs and services offered by more than 180 government departments, agencies, Crown corporations, boards and councils. A team of writers, researchers and editors, using a network of government contacts, regularly update this information to ensure that it is correct and complete and that it meets specific quality standards.

The Government of Canada's Communications Policy supports this updating process. 1 800 O-Canada provides a framework for government organizations to supply the public with contacts and accurate and complete information about their programs and services.

The 1 800 O-Canada service is accessible toll-free from over 60 countries around the world.

The full list of international numbers is available on the Canada Site.

Supporting Other Government Departments

In cooperation with the Government Advertising Committee and
1 800 O-Canada management, Government of Canada organizations can get permission to use the 1 800 O-Canada number in their advertising campaigns.

Organizations can use 1 800 O-Canada as the main telephone access point for information about their programs or services. These initiatives usually involve advertising campaigns with a general message and a national audience.

Other initiatives involve advertising campaigns where the 1 800 O-Canada number can provide a value-added service. Value-added services can include providing more detailed information about the initiative or taking orders for relevant publications. In these cases, 1 800 O-Canada supports another organization's telephone service by answering general enquiries and thus freeing up the departmental experts to answer specific enquiries. These campaigns usually have a specific target audience and message.

Updated: 2004-04-01	Top	Important Notices