E-Government Information Literacy for Chinese Immigrants

E-Government Information Literacy for New Chinese Immigrants Yanli Li AgendaIntroductionGovernment 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)Over the twenty years, the number of immigrant residents in Richmond has been increasing from 34,000 in 1986 to 99,660 in 2006. The proportion of Richmond immigrant residents has grown from 31.34% in 1986 to 57.12% in 2006.3Chinese Immigrants in Richmond

Figure 2 Immigrants in Richmond by BirthplaceProduced by Yanli LiData source: BCStats(2008)Note: Eastern Asia excludes China & Hong Kong4IntroductionDifferent system of the Canadian governmentGovernment information and services mostly available onlineSkills required to access government informationObjectivesKnow more about the government systemBetter find government informationGovernment Information NeedsWhat 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 NeedsJob search and interview skills training ESL assessment and classes Student loan applicationIncome tax returnForeign credentials verificationBusiness start-up

Canadas System of GovernmentThree 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 thoughtsResponsibilities of Government FEDERAL

Radio and TelecommunicationFood SafetyAgricultureTransportation SafetyNational DefencePostal ServiceBanking

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

PROVINCIAL

Environmental ServicesEnergy ProductionHunting and FishingProvincial CourtHealth CareCharitable InstitutionsDrivers 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 OperationsMinistry of EducationMinistry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open GovernmentBC Government MinistriesMinistry of Aboriginal Relations and ReconciliationMinistry of Advanced EducationMinistry of Attorney GeneralMinistry of Children and Family DevelopmentMinistry of Community, Sport and Cultural DevelopmentMinistry of Public Safety and Solicitor GeneralMinistry of Social DevelopmentMinistry 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 SearchSearch 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 SearchSearch 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