Guide to Government of Canada Services for Seniors
Travel and Leisure
Volunteering and Community DevelopmentMany older Canadians help better the lives of all Canadians by volunteering. Moreover, volunteer activities keep seniors connected to others and their community. To find out about volunteering opportunities near you:
Volunteer Canada at 1 800 670-0401
www.volunteer.ca Learn more about these popular volunteering and community development programs:
- New Horizons for Seniors provides funds for community- based projects led by seniors. The program encourages seniors to contribute their skills, experience and wisdom to support the well-being of their communities. By promoting seniors' ongoing involvement in their communities, it also reduces their risk of isolation.
1 800 277-9914
TTY: 1 800 255-4786
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/horizons/toc.shtml
- The EcoAction Community Funding Program supports community action on local environmental issues related to:
-air and water quality;
-climate change;
-the protection of sensitive habitats; and
-species at risk. Environment Canada at 1 800 668-6767
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
- Become a "citizen scientist." You can help monitor our environment and identify ecological changes by joining the FrogWatch, IceWatch, PlantWatch and WormWatch volunteer monitoring programs.
Nature Canada at 1 800 267-4088 www.naturewatch.ca
- Parks Canada invites you to volunteer. You could:
-collect information on archaeology and wildlife;
-carry out clean-up campaigns;
-participate in historic re-enactments;
-involve local communities in taking care of national parks and national historic sites; and
-be a host at a campground, welcoming and educating visitors. 1 888 773-8888
TTY: 1 866 558-2950
www.pc.gc.ca Select "Jobs At Parks Canada" from the menu bar on the left.
- Over 75,000 Canadians volunteer with the RCMP to help make homes and communities in Canada safer. Find out how you can help make your community safer.
Check the government pages in your telephone book for the RCMP office nearest you. www.rcmp.gc.ca To find your local RCMP detachment or office.
- Nearly 600 volunteers work with Correctional Service Canada (CSC). CSC recognizes that a supportive community makes it easier for offenders to become responsible citizens. Volunteer Citizens' Advisory Committees represent their local communities and act as impartial observers, advisors and community links.
For information on how you can get involved:
1 613 995-5272
www.csc.gc.ca Select "Resources for Volunteers"or "Resources for Citizens' Advisory Committees" under the top menu bar.
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada helps Canadian communities work together to welcome newcomers.
With the Host Program you help newcomers use local services or practise English or French. You may also help them look for work and participate in community life.
As a person living in Canada you can sponsor family members who live elsewhere and wish to immigrate to this country. To be a sponsor, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must also be able to provide for lodging, care, maintenance and normal settlement needs for the applicant and family members. This commitment can last for a number of years.
For more information:
1 888 242-2100
TTY: 1 888 576-8502
www.cic.gc.ca
Culture and Recreation
Indoors or out, Canada's natural, historic and cultural resources are important to seniors. Government of Canada programs play an important role in linking Canadians to their land, history and culture.
Here are some of the recreational and cultural resources and services that seniors can enjoy:
- Open a window on federal, provincial and municipal programs and services on culture, heritage and recreation. For government grant programs, learning resources, services, events, news and publications, try this one-stop online service.
www.CultureCanada.gc.ca
- Find a specific Canadian museum—or explore a rich and colourful world through the Virtual Museum of Canada. Discover Canada's heritage by clicking your way through museums, galleries, gardens, aquariums, zoos and more!
1 800 520-2446 (Canada and U.S.) www.virtualmuseum.ca
- Canada's Digital Collections offer Canadian works online. It's like a library that's open all day, every day. Everything is always available and nothing is ever overdue. More than 600 collections are available, celebrating Canada's history, geography, science, technology and culture.
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/
- Do you wish to trace your family tree or look for service records of former military personnel? Through its programs and services, Library and Archives Canada makes Canada's documentary heritage accessible to all.
1 866 578-7777
TTY: 1 866 299-1699
www.collectionscanada.ca
The RCMP's Musical Ride, with its horses and scarlet uniforms, allows Canadians to experience a famous part of our heritage. The Musical Ride performs at about 40 to 50 locations across the country between May and October.
For information on locations and times:
1 613 998-0754
www.rcmp.gc.ca Go to the A-Z index at the top and click on "Musical Ride and Equitation". National Parks and National Historic Sites of CanadaCanada's National Parks and National Historic Sites welcome seniors. While some locations are wild or physically challenging, many others are fully accessible to older adults or people with disabilities. In fact, there are more than 20 national parks—from B.C.'s Pacific Rim to Terra Nova in Newfoundland—that have wheelchair-accessible trails and audio equipment for tours. They also provide accessible parking and washroom facilities.
For more information and complete listings of Canada's National Parks and National Historic Sites:
1 888 773-8888
|TTY: 1 866 558-2950 www.pc.gc.ca Travel
Travellers have access to a wide variety of Government of Canada programs and services to help them stay safe and be informed, and to help make their experience more enjoyable. Here are some important resources for travellers:
- If you are travelling outside Canada, check with the Travel Medicine Program for:
-information on international disease outbreaks; -immunization recommendations; -general health advice for international travellers; and -disease-specific treatment and prevention guidelines. 1 613 957-8739 Leave a message and an agency official will return your call.
www.travelhealth.gc.ca
- Be prepared before you travel.
Country Travel Reports offer important information on safety and security, health questions and entry requirements for more than 200 destinations around the world.
1 800 267-6788 (Canada and the U.S.) or 613 944-6788
TTY: 1 800 394-3472 (Canada and the U.S.) or 613 944-1310
www.voyage.gc.ca
Get your copy of Bon Voyage, But? for travel tips and important phone numbers including contact information for Canada's government offices around the world. This brochure will help you plan your travels and minimize the risk of accidents, illnesses, legal problems and linguistic and cultural difficulties.
1 800 267-8376 (in Canada) or 613 944-4000 www.voyage.gc.ca Click on "Publications" from the menu on the left and then on "General Publications".
- Do you know what and how much you are entitled to bring back to Canada? It's all in the brochure, I Declare.
To get your copy:
Canada Border Services Agency at 1 800 959-2221 TTY: 1 800 665-0354
www.cbsa.gc.ca Click on "Going on vacation".
- Plan ahead to avoid long Canada–U.S. border waits. For approximate border wait times at major Canadian border crossings:
www.cbsa.gc.ca Click on "Border Wait Times".
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