University of Guelph Library

University of Guelph Library tag line "Changing Lives, Improving Life" (JPG 10kb)
Click the plus sign to expand this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Click the minus sign to collapse this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Canada
Click the plus sign to expand this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Click the minus sign to collapse this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)United States
Click the plus sign to expand this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Click the minus sign to collapse this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)United Kingdom
Click the plus sign to expand this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Click the minus sign to collapse this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)European Union
Click the plus sign to expand this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Click the minus sign to collapse this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Other Countries
Click the plus sign to expand this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)Click the minus sign to collapse this menu item (GIF 61 bytes)International Organizations

University of Guelph Library Ask Us! Service button and link to the initiative (PNG 6kb)

Government Publications section title and link to its homepage (PNG – 5kb)

Help Pages – Public Sector Case Studies

Text Size: S M L XL

Go back one page (PNG 4 kb)

Background Information

Tips

  • Determine the type of public sector organization — federal, provincial or municipal
  • Trace the history of your organization to its beginnings then find out what events influenced the change and development in your organization
  • Know the correct name(s) of your organization for the time period(s) you are interested in
  • Know the publication date of the source you are looking at — you may need to search under your organization's previous names

Encyclopedias and Yearbooks

Encyclopedias provide straight to the point background information on a wide range of topics. Yearbooks provide a "year in review" perspective

  • The Canadian Encyclopedia: Year 2000 Edition REF FC23 .C36 2000
  • The Canadian Encyclopedia. REF FC 23.C36 1988 Online
  • Encyclopedia Canadiana (1972) REF F 5010.E48 1972
  • The Encyclopedia of Canada (1935) REF F 5010.E63
  • The Canada Yearbook (annual) GOVREF CA1 BS11 C202 Online (1867-1967) Online (2001-)
  • Organization of the Government of Canada CA1 IF O63

Handbooks and Directories

  • Canadian Government Programs and Services GOVREF JL 5.C65
    A loose leaf binder service updated monthly, provides sections on departments, crown corporations, commissions, boards, and councils. Includes organizational charts, reference to establishing statutes and those administered by the organization
  • Canadian Federal Government Handbook (annual) GOVREF JL 73.C36
    Organization charts
  • Scott's Canadian Source Book (annual) GOVREF F 5003 C6
    A breakdown of federal, provincial and municipal governments into departments, ministries, boards, commissions and corporations. Also, contains information on intergovernmental agencies, organizational charts, mandates, legislation and contact information
  • Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests in Canada CA1 TB C62 Online
  • KWIC Index to Services (annual) GOVREF CA2ON CR K83 2000
    Provides keyword reference to descriptions of the Ontario government programs and to divisions, branches and agencies providing the services
  • The Ontario Government Structure and Functions (1988) GOVREF JL 270.B45
  • From Arms Length to Hands On: The Formative Years of Ontario's Public Service DOCREF CA2ON CR1 95F61
  • Responsible Government in Ontario GOVREF JL 263.1969 S3
  • Government of Canada Web site
    Includes links to government departments and agencies. "About Government" section includes information on the structure of government as well as information on intergovernmental affairs

Journals & Journal Indexes

  • Canadian Business and Current Affairs
    Access to Canadian business periodicals and current affairs information. Index time period coverage is from 1982 to 1992. Full text from 1993 to the present. Updated monthly
  • Canadian Research Index
    Citations and abstracts to Canadian government and research publications. 1982 to the present. Updated every 4 months. Use MN number to locate full-text documents in microfiche located in cabinets on 2nd floor
  • Ottawa Letter. GOVREF JA 4.V5
    Historical. News on federal government activities and initiatives of interest to business, plus progress of bills through parliaments. Quarterly cumulative indexing by topics. Biweekly
  • Canadian Social Trends. GOVREF CA1 BS11 C008
  • Canadian Newsstand - restricted access UG users only
    Indexes Canadian newspapers. Coverage 1985-

Legal Publications (Establishing Statute of the Organization)

Tips

  • Know the correct name of your organization for the time period you are interested in
  • Determine the type of public sector organization — federal, provincial or municipal
  • Use the general tools suggested in above to get an understanding of where your organization fits in to the bigger picture before moving to the primary documents listed below

Federal Government

Indexes to the Statutes

  • Revised Statutes of Canada. 1985 Index GOVREF CA1 YX41 85R27
    • Quick access to the legislation in the RSC, 1985.
    • Can search by keyword
    • Do not have to know the proper name of the statute
  • Table of Public Statutes and Responsible Ministers. GOVREF CA1 J T16 Online
    • Quick access to the legislation in the RSC, 1985 or annual volumes since
    • Indicates amendments and Coming into Force dates.
    • Current to date on front cover
  • Table of Private Acts. GOVREF CA1 YX1 91T16 Online
    • Paper current to December 31, 1990
    • Internet current to December, 1997

Top

The Statutes

  • Revised Statutes of Canada 1985 RSC, 1985 GOVREF CA1 YX41 85R27 Online
  • Statutes of Canada (annual). 1986 - present GOVREF CA1 YX21 S71 Online

    NB: Earlier RSC and annual statutes located in the government publications bookstacks (lower level)

Provincial Government

Indexes to the Statutes

  • RSO, 1990 Index GOVREF CA2ON YX41 90R27
    • Quick access to the legislation in the RSO, 1990
    • Can search by keyword
    • Do not have to know the proper name of the statute
  • "Table of Statutes," R.S.O., 1990 GOVREF CA2ON YX41 90R27
  • "Table of Public Statutes," Statutes of Ontario, (annual). GOVREF CA2ON YX21 S21
    • Located at the back of each annual volume
    • Refers to RSO, 1990 or annual volumes since
    • Lists amendments and repeals
  • Canadian Legal Information Institute
    Legislative materials for other provinces and territories

The Statutes

  • Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990 (RSO, 1990) GOVREF CA2ON YX41 90R27
  • Statutes of Ontario(annual) 1991 – GOVREF CA2ON 21 S21 Online.
    Internet link includes RSO, 1990 and all annual statutes to July 1, 1999

    NB: Earlier RSO and annual statutes located in the bookstacks

Sessional Papers

Departmental Web Sites

All federal and provincial government departments have their own websites. These are best used for obtaining information about current and future mandates and portfolios. Very rarely will you find complete histories that take you back to the beginnings of a department. Departments, ministries and agencies (federal and provincial):

Annual Reports and Estimates

These documents usually begin with a brief overview of the history of the present day department. Work your way backwards through the annual reports and estimates to obtain a complete history.

  • Annual reports can be found at the beginning of the department's section in the stacks
    • If you are unable to find them you may need to search using the departments past names
  • Most annual reports ceased in 1992 and have been replaced by estimates

Federal Government

  • The Expenditure Management System of the Government of Canada GOVREF CA1 TB 95E85 Online
  • The Estimates
    • Part I: The Government Expenditure Plan GOVREF CA1 FN.E75 overview of federal spending and summarizes relationship of the key elements of the Main Estimates to the Expenditure Plan (as set out in Budget)
    • Part II: The Main Estimates GOVREF CA1 FN.E75 provides a detailed listing of the resources required by individual departments and agencies for the upcoming fiscal year in order to deliver the programs for which they are responsible
    • Part III: Departmental Expenditure Plans (excludes Crown Corps.)
      1. Reports on Plans and Priorities (RPPs). GOVREF CA1 FN E7801 –
        Individual expenditure plans for each department and agency
      2. Departmental Performance Reports (DPRs). GOVREF CA1 TB P17 –
        Accounts of accomplishments achieved against planned performance expectations set out in respective RPPs
  • Supplementary Estimates. GOVREF CA1 FN.E771
    Provides parliament with information on changes in the estimated expenditures. Seeks authority for revised spending levels that Parliament will be asked to approve
  • Program Expenditure Detail GOVREF CA1 FN E74
    Annual profile of departmental spending for the year
  • Public Accounts. GOVREF CA1 FN P72 Online
    Published at the end of each fiscal year. Contains a summary and detailed financial statements for each department:
    • Vol. I: Summary Report and Financial Statements
    • Vol. II
      • Part I: Details of Expenditures and Revenues
      • Part II: Additional Information and Analyses
  • Federal Regulatory Plan. GOVREF CA1 TB140 F26
    Annual review of the current status of the regulatory jurisdiction role, ongoiong and forthcoming policy initiatives for each department and regulatory agency. Includes progress reports from the annual review prior.
  • Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests in Canada CA1 TB C62 Online
  • Public Sector Employment and Wages and Salaries GOVREF CA1 BS72 C209
    Statistics on public sector employment allows tracking of changing figures in each department.
  • Government Of Canada Electronic Publications
    Canada's Depository Services program provides links to Canadian Government documents available in electronic format. Search by title, subject, or issuing department/agency.

Provincial Government

  • Expenditure Estimates GOVREF CA2ON T O53 Online
    Details the operating and capital spending requirements of the ministries.
  • Public Accounts of Ontario Statements GOVREF CA2ON T81 P15 Online
    General statements:
    • Vol I: Schedules, Ministry Statements Consolidated revenues, fund schedules and ministry statements
    • Vol II: Financial Statements of Crown Corporations, Boards and Commissions
    • Vol III: Details of Expenditure
    • Also includes Ontario Public Service Senior Salary Disclosure
  • Ontario Budget GOVREF CA2ON T B82 Online
    Budget speech also located at this call number
    For onine version, select year of interest from drop-down menu
  • Canadian Research Index
    Business Plans for each ministry can be found in this database or in the publications section of the appropriate ministry's Web site

Parliamentary / Legislative Publications

Federal Government

Bills

  • Bills Online
  • Bills of the Senate CA1 YB B37
  • Bills of the House of Commons CA1 XB B56

Debates

The Senate
  • Senate Chamber Business (Hansards)
  • Debates CA1 Y1 D32
    Daily verbatim transcripts of the debates
  • Journals CA1 Y2 J79
    Daily record of the actions and decisions
  • Order Paper and Notice Paper CA1 Y5 O66
    Offical Agenda
The House of Commons
  • House of Commons Chamber Business (Hansards)
  • Debates and Indexes CA1 X1 D23
  • Journals and Debates CA1 X2 J53
  • Order Paper and Notice Paper CA1 X4 O82
  • Status of House Business and Index CA1 X4 S71; CA1 X4 S72 (on Dissolution)
    Committee Business (standing, special, select and joint), specialized committees that study matters of national importance:
    • Senate CA1 YC
    • House CA1 XC
    • Joint CA1 YX

Provincial Government

  • Bills
  • Bills and Status of Legislation of the Legislative Assembly CA2ON XB B56
  • Debates of the Legislative Assembly. CA2ON X1 D23 Online
  • Votes and Proceedings CA2ON X5 V76
    June, 1996 – only available on the Web
  • Committee Proceedings CA2ON XC Online

Selected Studies

Reports of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees report on committes established by ministers to investigate matters of public concern. A commission has the authority to enter and remain in a public office, examine all papers, documents, vouchers, records or books, belonging to the institution under investigation.

Royal Commissions, Commissions of Inquiry and Task Forces are prepared by experts in the area, not necessarily government officials. Federal and Provincial Government is not required to accept the recommendations.

  • Index to Federal Royal Commissions
  • Select Committees of the Assemblies of the Provinces of Upper Canada, Canada and Ontario, 1792-1991 GOVREF CA2ON YL 92S21
  • Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry for the Provinces of Upper Canada, Canada and Ontario GOVREF CA2ON YL 92R51
  • Parliament & Legislatures
    Guelph page links to a wide variety of parliamentary & legislative resources

Go back one page (PNG 4 kb)

Top

Quick Links

Government Publications logo (PNG 2 kb)

Last updated August 8th, 2011 by R.S. (details)