Archives - Did You Know?

2010

The Guide to Apparel and Textile Care Symbols — which provides industry symbols to help consumers clean and launder clothing safely — is available from Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs website.

More than 2000 Canadians registered to share their ideas, submissions and comments in the recent public consultations on Canada's digital economy strategy.

6% of Canadian households currently lack broadband (1.5 Mbps) access. In rural areas, that figure is closer to 22%. (CRTC Communications Monitoring Report 2009)

World Intellectual Property Day, April 26, is an annual celebration linking intellectual property and creativity. It is an opportunity to celebrate and promote innovation and economic growth. This year's theme is "Innovation — Linking the World".

This year, the Competition Bureau is launching the 7th annual Fraud Prevention Month. The 2010 campaign theme is Online Fraud. Learn more on how to recognize it, report it and stop it.

Industry Canada is at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Department has deployed a team of spectrum managers from across the country to monitor the quality of telecommunications and address interference issues that could have a negative impact on the Games, the Olympic family, public safety and security, and the Games experience for the three billion viewers around the world, which we’re sure includes you! Go Canada Go!

The Office of Consumer Affairs provides an online tool to help you better understand your debt problems and some options that are available to you. The online tool also provides information on making a budget, budget counselling, collection agencies, credit and credit repair.

2009

The Holiday Season is upon us once again and the Competition Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scams and other unplanned-for surprises which could make the holiday shopping experience less pleasant. Click here for tips on how to protect yourself.

Posting your email address anywhere on the Internet can attract spam. Share your email address only with people you know and trust.

Responding to spam by clicking on "remove" or "unsubscribe" links in the messages you receive only confirms your email address to spammers, causing you to receive more spam.

You should check your bank account, credit card or investment statements each month. By carefully reading through them, you can spot errors and inform your bank or financial institution right away. Click here for more tips on protecting yourself from identity theft.

Your SIN card and birth certificate should always be kept locked in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box, unless you need to bring them with you for a specific purpose. Click here for more tips on protecting yourself from identity theft.

You can obtain a free copy of your credit report by mail once a year. Simply contact one of the three major credit bureaus to request your report. Click here for more tips on protecting yourself from identity theft.

Identity theft does not solely take place online. Protect your mail and shred mail containing your personal information when it's no longer needed. Click here for more tips on protecting yourself from identity theft.

Small businesses that have fewer than 50 employees contribute almost one quarter of Canada's GDP.

2008

You can visit the Spectrum Auctions website to learn how the Government of Canada is working to improve the wireless marketplace for consumers and businesses.

Cellphone per-minute rates may differ depending on the time of day you make or receive a phone call. For more information on how to keep your cellphone costs in check and make an informed decision when buying a cellphone and package, check out Cellphone Choices for Canadians: A Checklist and A Guide.

Industry Canada's work is not only confined to this country. The department participates in more than 200 international organisations and forums.

Frequently paying your bills after their due date may add up to serious debt. To learn more, check out Take charge of your debts, an online debt-management tool.

2007

A 2007 study attributes 17 percent of labour productivity growth and about 9 percent of growth in economic output (real GDP) to standardization.

In 2006, 48 percent of the total labour force in the private sector worked for small businesses in Canada.