Financial Literacy
Access Alliance has a long history of promoting income security and economic literacy as an important social determinant of health. Given that poverty is a critical social determinant of health, we address the issue of financial literacy in many ways – through one-on-one counselling, delivering information workshops, providing tools and resources, and addressing systemic issues regarding barriers faced by vulnerable populations.
Access Alliance provides one-on-one support for individuals and families who want to improve their financial literacy. We also organize regular workshops. Please contact us by email for more information or call 416-324-8677.
A free community income tax service is offered by volunteers who are trained by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to help people living with low incomes prepare their income tax and benefit returns. The clinic is offered during the tax season, based on an annual posted schedule. Check our program calendar early in the year for more information. Eligibility is based on income thresholds.
Financial Literacy Education
- Credit Counseling Canada 1-866-398-5999: Workshops on money and debt management
- Canadian Centre for Financial Literacy 416-665-2828: Training and capacity building services
- Ottawa Community Loan Fund: Newcomer financial literacy toolkit
- Woodgreen Community Services 416-645-6000 x 1100: Financial empowerment
Government Benefits & Tax Credits
- Canada Benefits Finder: This website will connect you to federal, provincial and municipal programs and services
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Canada Child Tax Benefit
Government Savings Plans
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
- Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
- Registered Disability Savings Plan
- Tax-Free Savings Account
Income Tax Resources
- TaxTips.ca: Information on the Canadian income tax system
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): Includes an online, self-paced course on how to do your taxes
- Volunteer tax preparation clinics: For information across Canada – 1-800-959-8281
Banking & Financial Services
- Canadian Foundation for Economic Education: Resources on saving and investing tools and how to choose them
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Interactive tools such as a Credit Card Selection Tool and Credit Card Payment Calculator
- Investopedia: Complete source of information about investing.
- Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Information about housing and mortgage insurance in Canada.
- Bank of Canada: Information on Canada’s national bank with the task of preserving the value of our money
- Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation: Information on how our money in Canadian banks is insured against bank failures
- Acorn Canada: Produced a series of reports on the Payday lending industry in Canada.
Budgeting
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC): Find the section on “Making a budget and sticking to it”
- Investors Education Fund: Get Smarter About Money offers useful calculators and tools with a focus on saving and investing.
Debt Management
- Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Dealing with Debt: A Consumer’s Guide
- Credit Counselling Canada or call 1-866-398-5999
- Credit Canada or call 1-800-267-2272
Credit Reporting
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: This website gives examples of both Equifax and Transunion credit reports. It has resources on how to read them and correct errors.
- Equifax: Access to your credit history and score for a fee and also has a free credit education centre.
- Transunion: Credit monitoring products and services for sale and also has a credit learning centre.
Consumer Rights
- Canada Office of Consumer Affairs: Practical tools and information to help protect consumers.
- Consumer Reports: Provides independent product reviews and information.
- Consumer Protection Ontario: Consumer protection authority in Ontario
Consumer Advocates