Money Matters Resources

Transcription

1 Money Matters Resources At Your Fingertips A list of resources and supports available to you online, by phone and in your community. A project of the Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association Project funded by the TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund 1

2 Information Editor: Tara Webb, BSW, SWC Financial Literacy Project Coordinator Printed: May 2013 For further copies please contact the Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association Suite 204, 219 Main St Antigonish, NS B2G 2C1 (902) or antig.women@ns.sympatico.ca About This Resource Book This booklet contains a list of resources to help you achieve greater financial well-being. It includes organizations in your community, as well as government and non-government organizations and programs available across Nova Scotia and across Canada. This booklet covers Antigonish County, Guysborough County, Richmond County and Inverness County up to the Town of Inverness. The first section - Pages 5 to 13 - lists the organizations by topic. You can use this section to find out which organizations and programs might be of interest to you. The second section - Pages 14 to 39 - lists the same organizations in alphabetical order, along with contact information and a short description of each one. You will also find: List of used clothing and furniture shops... pg.49 Free Programs and Services for Parents and Children... pg.49 Contact information for local political representatives... pg.50 List of banks and Credit Unions... pg.52 This listing is correct as of May

3 Editor s Top 3 Picks Listing by Category 211 Nova Scotia - This new service can help you connect with the programs and services available to you. Give them a call; you may be surprised at the opportunities that are out there! Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) - This is the website most often consulted in creating the content for the Money Guide. Excellent information on a wide variety of financial topics. Something for everyone, from credit cards to investing to protecting yourself from fraud. It also has excellent tools for budgeting. Canadian Consumer Handbook - Another excellent resource with reliable information on getting the most out of your money and protecting yourself as a consumer - everything from buying a car to arranging a funeral to understanding the washing symbols on your clothes. A great place to consult before any major purchase or signing any contract. General Referral 211 Benefits Finder Helpline Nova Scotia Department of Seniors/ Seniors Toll Free Information Line Poltical Representatives Service Canada General Inquiries Consumer Complaints/Support Access Nova Scotia Consumer Awareness/Complaints Better Business Bureau of the Maritime Provinces Canadian Consumer Handbook Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan Charities Directorate Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Competition Bureau - Industry Canada Consumer Reports FAIR Canada Human Rights Commissions National Do Not Call List (See also Ombudservices) Credit and Debt Access Nova Scotia Debtor Assistance Program Access Nova Scotia Consumer Awareness Program Acorn Canada Bank of Canada Canadian Consumer Handbook Equifax Canada TransUnion Canada Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada Inc. Debt Repayment Planning Calculator (CNN Money) Equifax Canada Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Get Smarter About Money MasterCard Canada Office of Consumer Affairs (Industry Canada) Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada Practical Money Skills Canada TD Personal Loan Calculator 45 5

4 Listing by Category Listing by Category TransUnion Canada Visa Canada Inverness County Literacy Network (See also: Employment) Disability Employment Benefits Finder Antigonish Career Resource Centre Canada Revenue Agency Benefits Finder Canada Pension Plan Canada Pension Plan Disability Vocational Rehab Program Department of Community Services Career Development Association of Inverness Richmond East Novability Career & Job Counseling Centre (Guysborough) Human Rights Commissions Careers Nova Scotia PLAN: RDSP Community Access Program Sites Service Canada - Info for People with Disabilities Department of Community Services Social Security Tribunal East Novability Careers Nova Scotia Employment Insurance Guysborough County Adult Learning Association (GALA) Education Human Rights Commissions Antigonish Career Resource Centre (ACRC) Indspire Antigonish County Adult Learning Association (ACALA) Inverness County Literacy Council Benefits Finder Job Bank Service Canada CanLearn Nova Scotia Department of Community Services Career Development Association of Inverness Richmond Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation Career & Job Counseling Centre (Guysborough) Port Hawkesbury Literacy Council (PHLC) Community Access Program (C@P) Sites Potlotek First Nation Department of Community Services Practical Money Skills Canada Department of Labour and Advanced Education Richmond County Literacy Council Guysborough County Adult Learning Association (GALA) Service Canada - Info Jobseekers Inverness County Literacy Council Waycobah First Nation Libraries Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia Native Council of Nova Scotia Working in Canada Tool Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) YMCA Cape Breton Entrepreneur Centre Nova Scotia Student Assistance Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation Emergency Food Port Hawkesbury Literacy Council (PHLC) Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Port Hood Resource Centre and Library Department of Community Services Potlotek First Nation Feed Nova Scotia Food banks Practical Money Skills Canada St. James United Church Hot Meal Program Richmond County Literacy Council Service Canada - Info for Students Universities Waycobah First Nation Careers Nova Scotia 67 7

5 Listing by Category Listing by Category Emergency Fuel Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Benefits Finder Department of Community Services Good Neighbour Energy Fund Entrepreneur/Small Business Support Access Nova Scotia Services for Businesses Antigonish Women Entrepreneurs Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Benefits Finder Black Business Initiative Business Development Bank of Canada Canada Business Network Canada Revenue Agency Canadian Youth Business Foundation Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) Centre for Women in Business Community Business Development Corporation Efficiency Nova Scotia Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation Nova Scotia Business Inc. Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation Port Hood Resource Centre and Library Potlotek First Nation Service Canada - Info for Entrepreneurs St. Francis Xavier University Enterprise Development Centre (XEDC) Waycobah First Nation YMCA Cape Breton - Entrepreneur Centre Financial Information and Services Bank of Canada Canada Revenue Agency Canadian Bankers Association Canadian Consumer Handbook Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Credit Union Central Equifax Canada Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Get Smarter About Money MasterCard Canada Nova Scotia Public Trustee Office of Consumer Affairs (Industry Canada) Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada Positive Aging Directory Practical Money Skills Canada Service Canada TransUnion Canada Visa Canada (See also Consumer Complaints/Support, Credit and Debt, Fraud, Investing and Taxes) Financial/Other Assistance CanLearn Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Department of Community Services Efficiency Nova Scotia Employment Insurance Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) Isle Madame Veterans Comfort Fund KidSport Native Council of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs Nova Scotia Student Assistance Old Age Security (OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation PLAN: RDSP Potlotek First Nation Social Security Tribunal Waycobah First Nation Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia YMCA Cape Breton All Access Program Efficiency Nova Scotia Fraud ABCs of Fraud Access Nova Scotia Consumer Complaints/Awareness Program Better Business Bureau of the Maritime Provinces 89 9

6 Listing by Category Listing by Category Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Canadian Consumer Handbook Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Canadian Securities Administrators Charities Directorate Competition Bureau - Industry Canada FAIR Canada Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Nova Scotia Department of Seniors/ Seniors Toll Free Information Line Nova Scotia Securities Commission Office of Consumer Affairs (Industry Canada) Positive Aging Directory Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security General Counseling/Support Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia Native Council of Nova Scotia Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation Potlotek First Nation Strait Area Women s Place Waycobah First Nation Health Addiction Services - GASHA Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Problem Gambling Help Line Public Health Services Smokers Helpline Strait Area Women s Place Housing Access Nova Scotia - Residential Tenancies Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Benefits Finder Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Cape Breton Island Housing Authority Department of Community Services Eastern Mainland Housing Authority Efficiency Nova Scotia Housing Co-operatives Housing Services Native Council of Nova Scotia Investing Bank of Canada Better Business Bureau of the Maritime Provinces Canada Premium Bonds Canada Revenue Agency Canadian Bankers Association Canadian Consumer Handbook Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Canadian Securities Administrators FAIR Canada Get Smarter About Money Investopedia Nova Scotia Securities Commission PLAN: RDSP Practical Money Skills Canada Smartsaver TaxTips.ca Legal Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Benefits Finder Family Law Nova Scotia Human Rights Commissions Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Legal Aid Nova Scotia Public Trustee Positive Aging Directory Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security

7 Listing by Category Listing by Category Ombudservices ADR Chambers Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) General Insurance OmbudService Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) Taxpayers Ombudsman Parents/Children Benefits Finder Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program KidSport La Pirouette Libraries Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs PLAN: RDSP Practical Money Skills Canada Service Canada - Info for Parents and Families Smartsaver Social Change Organizations Acorn Canada Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Antigonish Poverty Reduction Coalition Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives CARP A New Vision for Aging in Canada Council of Canadians St. James United Church Social Justice Committee Women s Action Alliance for Change Seniors Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman Old Age Security (OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) Positive Aging Directory Practical Money Skills Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Senior Abuse Information and Referral Line Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security Service Canada - Info for Seniors Social Security Tribunal Taxpayers Ombudsman Taxes Access Nova Scotia Rebate Programs Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA Benefits Finder Canada Revenue Agency Canadian Consumer Handbook Charities Directorate Community Volunteer Income Tax Program Learning About Taxes Taxpayers Ombudsman TaxTips.ca Transportation Antigonish Seniors C.A.R.E. Van Society Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program Department of Community Services Strait Area Transit YMCA Cape Breton Outreach Program Access Nova Scotia Rebate Programs Antigonish County Adult Learning Association (ACALA) Antigonish Seniors C.A.R.E. Van Society Women s Services and Supports Benefits Finder Canada Pension Plan Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & SASA CARP A New Vision for Aging in Canada Antigonish Women Entrepreneurs Careers Nova Scotia Careers Nova Scotia General Insurance OmbudService Centre for Women in Business Nova Scotia Department of Seniors/ Seniors Toll Free Information Line Strait Area Women s Place Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs

8 211 Nova Scotia Phone: TTY: Website: Information and referral service that helps connect Nova Scotians to community groups, non-profit organizations and government departments. The service is confidential and available free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year simply by calling or visiting the website. ABCs of Fraud Website: Online resource only. Try the quiz! Access Nova Scotia / Service Nova Scotia Phone: (press 1 for service in English, then 3 for Other Government services) TTY: Website: or http: /gov.ns.ca/snsmr/access/ Locations: Antigonish - Antigonish Mall Annex, Suite 3, 149 Church Street Port Hawkesbury MacSween Street, Suite 22, Provincial Building Specific Programs: Consumer Awareness Program/Consumer Complaints: Provide information on loans and credit, condominiums, Residential Tenancies, cemetery/funeral services, consumer alerts and protecting yourself as a consumer. If you have not been able to resolve a problem with a business about a good or service you have paid for, you can contact them to make a complaint or get a referral to the appropriate agency. Debtor Assistance Program: A place to turn if you are feeling overwhelmed by debt. Provide free information and options for dealing with debt, including a Consumer Proposal program. Residential Tenancies: Help tenants and landlords to understand their rights, and to exercise those rights when needed. Services for Businesses: Include information and regulation for business owners/entrepreneurs, etc. Rebate Programs: Rebates include Your Energy Rebate Program, Property Tax Rebate for Seniors, Graduate Retention Rebate, Graduate Tax Credit, Heating Assistance Rebate Program, Energy Saving Programs, First-Time Home Buyers Rebate Acorn Canada Phone: (not toll-free) Website: Cape Breton office: Report on social justice issues such as poverty, housing, and funding for social programs, etc. Did a series of reports on Payday Lending. Addiction Services (GASHA - Serving Antigonish/Guysborough/ Inverness/Richmond Counties) Phone: Website: Antigonish: Ext Port Hawkesbury: Provide support for people struggling with addictions to nicotine, alcohol, other drugs and gambling, and those affected by others addictions. ADR Chambers Phone: Website: The Ombudsperson for Royal Bank and TD Bank customers. The ombudsperson can investigate your complaint if you have tried the bank s complaint process and the problem has not been resolved. Antigonish Career Resource Centre Serving Antigonish/Guysborough/Inverness/Richmound Counties Phone: Website: Offer free job search, computer access, skill building and career development resources to people in Antigonish County

9 Antigonish County Adult Learning Association (ACALA) Serving Antigonish County Phone: Website: Location: People s Place, 283 Main St., Antigonish Offer adult education programs for basic academic skills, upgrading skills to look for work, seniors and family literacy programs, computer literacy, English as a Second Language and GED preparation. ACALATV is a social enterprise that showcases the community. Available online and on Eastlink TV. Antigonish Crime Prevention - Senior Safety Program Serving Antigonish County Phone: (office) (cell) Website: or http: /novascotia.ca/seniors/senior_safety_programs.asp A program supported by the RCMP. The program coordinator provides information and support to seniors to help them to protect themselves from senior abuse, frauds and scams, etc. Antigonish Poverty Reduction Coalition Serving Antigonish County Phone: Website: https: / Coalition/ or http: /sustainableantigonish.ca/projects/ community-collaborations/poverty-reduction-coalition A community group of organizations and individuals working to eliminate poverty in Antigonish County. Antigonish Seniors C.A.R.E. Van Society Serving Antigonish County Phone: Offer safe effective transportation for people with disabilities who cannot take a taxi. Must have accompaniment. Antigonish Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Serving Antigonish County Phone: Website: http: /awenet.ca A group of women entrepreneurs who collaborate, support, motivate and share information with each other. Antigonish Women s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association Serving Antigonish/Guysborough/Inverness/Richmond Counties Phone: Website: Money Matters: Home of the Money Matters Financial Literacy Program, providing information and support with personal finances. Also provide supportive counselling, outreach and accompaniment to court, legal and medical appointments to Guysborough and Strait Area. Administers the Kinsmen Fund (emergency groceries), Sisters of St. Martha s (emergency groceries, bill payments), the Antigonish Emergency Fuel Fund and Opportunity Shop vouchers. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Serving Atlantic Canada Phone: Antigonish Office: TTY: Website: http: /acoa-apeca.gc.ca Work with businesses and communities to help build economic growth throughout Atlantic Canada. Bank of Canada Phone: TTY: Website: Canada s national bank in charge of preserving the value of our money. You can look for unclaimed bank balances, find out the Bank of Canada interest rate and find lots of information about our financial system. Benefits Finder Website: Online resource that helps you to find out what federal and provincial benefits you may be eligible for

10 Better Business Bureau of the Maritime Provinces Serving the Maritime Provinces Phone: Website: Check out businesses and charities before you spend or give your money, or file a complaint. Black Business Initiative Phone: Website: Provide information and support to African Nova Scotian business owners, entrepreneurs and youth with marketing, budgeting, securing funding, etc. Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Phone: BDC-BANX ( ) Truro Business Centre: Sydney Business Centre: Website: Offer consulting, financing and venture capital to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. Have online tools available for business plans, business financing, technology assessments and other, including a social media e-book for entrepreneurs. For the Aboriginal Banking Services program call Canada Business Network Phone: TTY: Website: Provide government services for entrepreneurs, including referrals for financing, marketing research, permits and licenses. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Phone: TTY: Website: Provide information on renting, buying, building, financing, insuring, maintaining and renovating a home in Canada. Canada Pension Plan (CPP) (Service Canada) Phone: TTY: Website: or go to and scroll down to Seniors. Provide contributors and their families with a modest level of income replacement upon the retirement, disability or death of a wage earner. The CPP pays benefits based on how much and how long an individual has contributed to the Plan. You must apply for CPP benefits to receive them and eligibility requirements must be met. Benefits include the CPP retirement pension and post-retirement benefit, the disability benefit, benefits for children of disabled and deceased contributors and benefits for survivors including a monthly pension and a lump-sum death benefit. Canada Premium Bonds (formerly Canada Savings Bonds) Phone: TTY: To Buy a CPB: Website: Provide information about Canada Premium Bonds, a kind of investment you can buy. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Phone: TTY: For Forms: or Website: Call for questions about taxes and information about Registered Savings Plans, tax benefits and refunds. On the website, click Information for Individuals on the left of the homepage for tax-related information for individuals and families. Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Phone: Website: Provide information about frauds and scams. If you think you may have been scammed you can report a scam by calling the number above or by using their online form

11 Canadian Bankers Association Phone: (not toll-free) Website: Good as an online resource. They provide information and research about the banking system and financial consumer issues. Canadian Centre for Financial Literacy Phone: Website: The Canadian Centre for Financial Literacy, a division of the national charitable organization Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI), was established in 2008 to build the financial literacy of low-income Canadians. See their website for financial literacy education and evaluation resources. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Phone: Nova Scotia Office: Website: An independent research organization working on issues of social, economic and environmental justice. You can learn more about, and contribute to, the latest information and research. Canadian Consumer Handbook Website: Excellent online resource covering a wide range of topics. You can call the number above if you need information on specific topics. Provides information about credit, debt, choosing products and services, protecting yourself from fraud, scams and identity theft, and making a complaint about a product or service. Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) Phone: Website: Information on how our money in Canadian banks is insured to protect you. Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Phone: Website: This website has educational materials for newcomers and young people, a Virtual Adviser, and information on saving and investing tools. Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan Phone: Website: A place to call if you have a problem with vehicle manufacturers (like Ford, GM, Toyota, etc) regarding a warranty or a defective vehicle. Canadian Securities Administrators Website: Has information about understanding investments, choosing an investment advisor and avoiding investment fraud. See Nova Scotia Securities Commission for more information and local phone number. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program Phone: Website: jumpstart.canadiantire.ca Cover the costs of equipment, registration and/or transportation so that lower-income children can participate in sports. Canadian Youth Business Foundation Phone: Website: Offer coaching, financing, mentoring and online business resources for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39. Canadian Foundation for Economic Education Phone: Website: This website has educational materials for newcomers and young people, a Virtual Adviser, and information on saving and investing tools

12 Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan Phone: Website: A place to call if you have a problem with vehicle manufacturers (like Ford, GM, Toyota, etc) regarding a warranty or a defective vehicle. Canadian Securities Administrators Website: Has information about understanding investments, choosing an investment advisor and avoiding investment fraud. See Nova Scotia Securities Commission for more information and local phone number. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program Phone: Website: jumpstart.canadiantire.ca Cover the costs of equipment, registration and/or transportation so that lower-income children can participate in sports. Canadian Youth Business Foundation Phone: Website: Offer coaching, financing, mentoring and online business resources for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39. CanLearn (National Student Loan Service Centre) Phone: TTY: Privacy Breach Hotline: TTY: Website: Administer Canada Student Loans. Website has information about education savings, grants and scholarships. If you had a Canada Student Loan between 2000 and 2006, contact the Privacy Breach Hotline to see if you are affected. Contact the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Office to apply for a loan. Cape Breton Island Housing Authority Serving all of Cape Breton Phone: Inverness Office: or Port Hawksbury Office: or Provide safe, adequate and affordable public housing for low or fixed income families and seniors. Career Development Association of Inverness Richmond Serving Inverness/Richmond Counties Chéticamp Office: ; Sentier Cabot Inverness Office: ; Central Avenue Petit-de-Grat Office: ; 3433 Hwy 206 Port Hawkesbury Office: ; 609 Church St. St. Peter s Office: ; Grenville Street Website: Help people with choosing a career, building employment skills, finding and keeping a job, and financial assistance programs for retraining and self-employment. Career & Job Counseling Centre Serving Guysborough County Guysborough Office: ; Chedabucto Centre Canso Office: ; 193 Main St. (Tuesdays and Thursdays) Mulgrave Office: Main St. (Wednesdays) Help people with choosing a career, building employment skills and finding and keeping a job. Also help with funding applications for Employment Nova Scotia programs

13 Careers Nova Scotia Phone: TTY: Website: http: /careers.novascotia.ca Provides information about career options and the job market in Nova Scotia. CARP A New Vision for Aging in Canada Phone: Nova Scotia chapter: Website: or Lobby on behalf of all mature Canadians (45+). They don t provide services, but have opportunities to get involved, a section on their website on finances and aging, an online newsletter, and Zoomer Magazine. Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) - Phone: Antigonish Office: Website: Entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs. Provide programs and financial support to help youth entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and employment training for at-risk youth. Centre for Women in Business - Mount Saint Vincent University - Phone: Website: Offer information, support and training programs for Nova Scotian women starting and growing their business. Charities Directorate (Canada Revenue Agency) Phone: Website: Keep a list of registered Canadian charities; check before you donate! Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) - Phone: Website: Contact them for information or to make a complaint about telephone, cell, data, text, wired and wireless internet services and billing issues. Community Access Program (CAP) Sites Places where you can access a computer and the internet Antigonish: Antigonish Library, 274 Main Street, Charlos Cove: 53 Charlos Cove Loop, or Goshen: 985 Hwy 276, or Larry s River: 6202 Hwy 316, or Lincolnville: 88 Lincolnville Loop, or St. Joseph s: St. Joseph s Lakeside Community Center, Sunnyville: 28 Sunnyville Road, or Upper Big Tracadie: 272 Route 16 Monastery, or Community Business Development Corporations Phone: Website: CBDC NOBL (Pictou/Antigonish) Office: NOBL Guysborough Office: CBDC InRich (Inverness/Richmond) Office: Help small businesses by providing financial, technical and business counselling supports. Community Volunteer Income Tax Program Phone: Website: Do you need help to file your tax and benefit return? The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is here to help people with low incomes and a simple tax situation. This free service is offered between February and April at organizations in your community. Please call the number or visit the website above for dates and times

14 Competition Bureau - Industry Canada Phone: TTY: Website: Enforce rules, provide information and receive complaints about misleading advertisements, labelling and fraud. They publish The Little Black Book of Scams, a resource to help you avoid or report fraud and scams available online or call to order a copy. Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle- Écosse Phone: CDENE ( ) Website: http: /cdene.ns.ca Identify and address community needs and help entrepreneurs in Francophone and Acadian communities. Consumer Reports Website: Good to check before any major purchase. Provides independent product ratings, reviews and information, and lists of recalls and product safety issues. Copies of the most recent Consumer Reports are also available at the public library. Council of Canadians Phone: (Halifax office) Website: A progressive citizen group working toward social and economic justice in Canada. Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada Inc. Serving the Atlantic Provinces Phone: Website: A non-profit offering confidential and professional budget, credit and debt repayment counselling programs to families and individuals. Also provide workshops on budgeting, credit and managing money. Do advocacy as well. Credit Union Central Phone: Website: The national voice of the Credit Union system. Provides information on the credit union model and a credit union locator. Debt Repayment Planning Calculator (CNN Money) Website: http: /cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp Online tool to find out how long it will take to pay off your debt, or what your payments need to be to pay them off in a fixed amount of time. Department of Community Services Locations/Phone: Antigonish District Office: ; 229 Main Street Guysborough District Office: ; Chedabucto Mall Port Hawkesbury District Office: ; Unit #3, Provincial Bldg., MacSween Street Cheticamp Sub-Office: ; Trois Pignons, Cabot Trail Port Hood Sub-Office: ; 86 High Road St. Peters Sub-Office: ; 9999 Grenville Street Website: http: /novascotia.ca/coms Provide income assistance and employment support for those in need and people with disabilities. Income Support provides help with basic needs like food/personal needs, rent, heat, electricity and other basic shelter costs. The program may also help with other needs such as telephone for medical reasons, child care, transportation, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, eye glasses, and other medical needs. Department of Labour and Advanced Education Phone: or (Northeastern Nova Scotia office) Website: Call to learn about programs, funding and grants for additional training, apprenticeships, workplace education and adult education in the community

15 East Novability Serving Inverness/Richmond/Antigonish/Guysborough Counties Phone: (Port Hawkesbury) Toll-Free: Website: A career resource centre that specializes in helping adults with disabilities to find a career path and apply for employment. Provide outreach as well. Eastern Mainland Housing Authority Various Locations, Mainland Phone: Antigonish Office: Guysborough Office: Provide safe, adequate and affordable public housing for low or fixed income families and seniors. Call to apply. Efficiency Nova Scotia Phone: Website: Help Nova Scotians to improve their energy efficiency and save money on their heating and electricity bills at home and in their businesses. Offer free assessments, and free home upgrades for lower-income homeowners. Employment Insurance (EI) (Service Canada) Phone: TTY: Website: Provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed Canadians who have lost their job through no fault of their own, while they look for work or upgrade their skills. Canadians who are sick, pregnant, or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by Employment Insurance. Equifax Canada Mail: National Consumer Relations, P.O. Box 190, Station Jean-Talon, Montreal, QC, H1S 2Z2 Phone: (automated system) One of the two Credit Bureaus in Canada. To request a free credit report (once per year), call the number above or go to Under Other Credit Services, click free credit file. Credit bureaus can also investigate problems with your credit rating (like identity theft, company mistakes, etc) on your behalf. FAIR Canada (Canadian Foundation for Advancement of Investor Rights) - Phone: Website: http: /faircanada.ca/investor-resources Website provides information for Canadian investors about how to invest safely and protect themselves from investment fraud and scams. Family Law Nova Scotia Website: Online resource providing legal information related to family law. Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia Serving Northeastern Nova Scotia Antigonish: Port Hawkesbury: Inverness Sub-Office: Website: Provide one-on-one and family counselling. Feed Nova Scotia (for all food banks) Phone: TTY: Website: Connect people all over Nova Scotia to local food banks; call to be connected to your closest food bank. See also: Helpline. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) (Crown Corporation) -Serving Cape Breton Phone: Website: http: /ecbc-secb.gc.ca Commercial Development Program provides information, support and funding to entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs

16 Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) Phone: FCAC (3222) TTY: Website: An excellent source of reliable information on a wide variety of financial topics, including banking, budgeting, credit, debt, insurance, fraud, knowing your rights as a consumer, etc. Provide online interactive tools such as a Credit Card Selection Tool, Credit Card Payment Calculator, etc. They also have educational materials for youth. General Insurance OmbudService Phone: Website: A place to turn if you have a problem with home, auto or business insurance. Get Smarter About Money Website: Online resource. This site has many useful calculators and tools with a focus on financial planning, saving and investing. Good Neighbour Energy Fund (Salvation Army) Phone: Fax: GNEF@sahalifax.ca Mail: 2038/2044 Gottigen St, Halifax, NS, B3K 3A9 Website: Provide emergency funds for any type of home heating. Applications available online, at your MLA s office or the Antigonish Women s Resource Centre. Submit application by fax, or mail, Attention: GNEF Program. Guysborough County Adult Learning Association (GALA) Serving Guysborough County Phone: Toll Free: Website: Offer adult education programs to improve the Nine Essential Skills, basic academic skills, upgrading skills to look for work, seniors and family literacy programs, computer literacy and GED preparation. Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) Canadian Red Cross - Phone: Bed Loan Program: Website: The Community HELP Program provides clients experiencing illness, injury or simply aging in place with a loan of health equipment (crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, raised toilet seats, bathtub aids, etc.) up to 3 months. The Bed Loan Program offers long-term loans of fully electric hospital beds and foam pressure redistribution mattresses. Helpline Phone: TTY: Offer supportive listening and referrals to other community organizations and services, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. See also: Feed Nova Scotia Housing Co-operatives Serving Various Locations Brierly Housing Co-operative - Antigonish: Highland Housing Co-operative - Antigonish: Lorentchia Housing Co-operative Ltd. - Antigonish: Mail; C33-77 Highland Dr, Antigonish, NS, B2G 1P4. ; lorentchia@yahoo.ca Topshee Housing Co-operative - Antigonish: Mail; c/o Pathways, P.O. Box 152, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 3Y3 Joe MacIsaac Housing Co-operative - Port Hawkesbury:

17 Housing Services (Community Services/Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) - Phone: Eastern Region (Cape Breton) Northern Region (Mainland) Programs are available to help seniors, people with disabilities and lower-income people to find housing and to repair or renovate their homes so that they can continue to live in them. For a full list of programs see the Community Services website, and/or see the Antigonish Women s Resource Centre Money Matters webpage. Eastern Mainland, Housing Services, ESIA, Regional Offices Human Rights Commissions Phone: TTY: Website: A place to turn if you feel you have been discriminated against. Contact the Canadian Human Rights Commission about incidents that happen in federal government or federally regulated industries. Contact the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission for all other incidents of discrimination. Phone: Website: Indspire Phone: INDSPIRE ( ) - toll-free Website: http: /indspire.ca/ A National charity that helps Indigenous youth succeed through bursaries, scholarships, career conferences and the celebration of positive role models. Inverness County Literacy Council Serving Inverness County Phone: Toll Free: Offer adult education programs for literacy, basic academic skills, upgrading skills, seniors and family literacy programs, computer literacy, GED preparation and Age Advantage Plus initiatives. Investopedia Serving Everywhere Website: Online resource. This site is a very complete source of information about investing. They have a stock simulator. You can use it to pretend to play on the market. Isle Madame Veterans Comfort Fund Serving Isle Madame Phone: Provide services for veterans and their families. Job Bank Service Canada Phone: Website: Online resource offering lists of job openings across Canada and resources for resume building, researching careers, etc. Phone is only for general questions. KidSport Inverness: Richmond: Antigonish: Sherbrooke: Guysborough: ext.223 Website: Provide grants to allow lower-income children to participate in organized sports that they could otherwise not afford

18 La Pirouette Phone: (Petit de Grat) Website: http: /lapirouette.ca Offer services and programs for Acadian and Francophone children and families, including a lending library. The library includes French books, puzzles, videotapes, CDs, toys and educational games. Learning About Taxes Website: An online self-paced course prepared by the Canada Revenue Agency. It teaches you how to do a simple tax return. Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia Phone: if you have a legal question or for Lawyer Referral Main Line: for publications and Speakers Bureau Website: Provide easy-to-understand legal information and resources on a wide variety of issues, including pensions and creditor/debtor rights. Also provide a Lawyer Referral Service and speakers for information sessions. Book for seniors: It s In Your Hands Legal Information for Seniors and Their Families, available online or order by phone. Libraries - Eastern Counties Regional Library (ECRL) Phone: Canso Branch: Guysborough Branch: Mulgrave Branch: Petit de Grat Branch: Port Hawkesbury Branch: Sherbrooke Branch: St. Peter s Branch: Mobile sites: Inverness, Judique, L Ardoise, Port Hood, Whycocomagh: Website: http: /ecrl.library.ns.ca Services include a lending library with books and movies, C@P Site, Book Mobile (some areas), home delivery for seniors, Books by Mail service, reference services and interlibrary loan. Libraries - Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library (PARL) Phone: Antigonish Branch: Monastery Rural Access Site: Website: http: /parl.ns.ca Services include a free lending library with books and movies, C@P Site, reference services, interlibrary loans, Homebound Services for those who cannot easily leave their home and Technology Training Sessions. MasterCard Canada Phone: Please call the number on the back of your MasterCard card, or contact your bank or credit union. A list of phone numbers is also available here: Website: Provide information and resources for understanding credit card terms and conditions, as well as information about MasterCard credit cards offered by different banks and credit unions. National Do Not Call List Phone: Website: You can register with the National Do Not Call List to help reduce the number of telemarketing calls you get. You can submit a complaint if you get a telemarketing call that is not permitted. Native Council of Nova Scotia Phone: or Website: Represent and serve the needs of Off-Reserve Mi kmaq/aboriginal Peoples of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Business Inc Phone: Website: Contact Nova Scotia Business Inc. to learn about programs and services available to help you sell your products and services beyond Nova Scotia s borders

19 Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Phone: (Strait Area Campus) Admissions: Website: Provide post-secondary education in technical skills for the workplace. Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism - Halifax: Antigonish office: Website: Provide programs and supports for small business owners and economic development projects in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Department of Seniors/ Seniors Toll Free Information Line - Seniors Toll Free Information Line: Website: Work collaboratively with Nova Scotia communities so that they will be healthy places to live and age well. Support seniors independence through government policies, services, programs and information. See also the Positive Aging Directory. Nova Scotia Legal Aid Antigonish Office: Port Hawkesbury Office: Website: Provide legal services to qualified Nova Scotians. Also help explain the process (summary advice) for Income Assistance, CPP Disability, Employment Insurance and Residential Tenancies matters. Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman Phone: Website: Contact for complaints against provincial and municipal government departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. Nova Scotia Pharmacare (drug coverage) Programs Phone: or (Seniors) Website: Programs include Family Pharmacare, Low Income Pharmacare for Children, Seniors Pharmacare, Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients, Pharmacare Benefits through Department of Community Services, and Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Assistance. Nova Scotia Public Trustee Phone: Website: http: /novascotia.ca/just/pto/ In certain circumstances the Public Trustee may work in the interest of persons who are not legally competent to manage their affairs (e.g., children, missing or deceased persons, or because of mental incompetency) when no-one else is available to look after their affairs (such as managing the person s estate, trust funds, etc). The Public Trustee is also authorized to give consent for healthcare if the person is mentally incapable and has no-one to provide consent. Nova Scotia Securities Commission Phone: Website: Have information about understanding investments, choosing an investment advisor and avoiding investment fraud. They also investigate investment fraud. See also Canadian Securities Administrators. Nova Scotia Student Assistance Phone: TTY: (not toll-free) Website: http: /studentloans.ednet.ns.ca/ The place to apply for Canada Student Loans and Nova Scotia Student Loans

20 Office of Consumer Affairs (Industry Canada) Website: Identity Theft Consumers Program: ca02226.html Online resource only. Offer practical tools and information on budgeting, credit, debt and protecting yourself as a consumer. See also Canadian Consumer Handbook. Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada Phone: Website: Provide information about bankruptcy and other options for people overwhelmed by debt. The Bankruptcy Assistance Program can help you if you have tried but cannot find a trustee. Old Age Security (OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) (Service Canada) - Phone: TTY: Website: or go to and scroll down to Seniors Provide a monthly benefit to seniors aged 65 and over based on their years of residence in Canada. Low-income seniors may be eligible for an additional supplement based on their income and marital status. Benefits under the OAS program include the residence-based pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income pensioners, and the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor for low-income spouses/ partners or survivors aged 60 to 64. OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance Phone: Website: A place to contact if you have a problem with life or health insurance. Also offer consumer information. Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) Phone: Website: Contact the Ombudsman if you have not been able to get a problem at your bank or investment firm resolved to your satisfaction and you ve lost money as a result. Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation Serving the Community of Paqtnkek Mi kmaw Nation Phone: Health Centre: Website: http: /paqtnkek.ca Services include economic development, education, employment and training, C@P site, housing and help with basic needs. Health Centre services include family support, mental health and addictions services. PLAN: RDSP Website: http: /rdsp.com Online resource with excellent information on Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs). It includes a step-by-step guide and an RDSP calculator. Political Representatives Your political representatives and the staff in their offices can sometimes offer advocacy and support, especially with government departments and programs. Remember: politicians need to hear from you in order to represent you! See Appendix on pg Port Hawkesbury Literacy Council (PHLC) Serving Port Hawkesbury and Catchment Area Phone: Website: Offer free adult learning programs geared toward improving literacy and essential skills, basic computer literacy, work readiness training and GED preparation