Skip to Main Content

Government Documents: Home

This guide covers the basics of finding and using government documents and provides links to various governmental and public resources.

Welcome

Welcome to the Government Documents LibGuide!

This Library Guide is designed to help you find Canadian and Provincial Government Information in the BU Library collection and online.

If you need materials from other jurisdictions, we may also be able help you locate them.

For help, ask at the Circulation Desk in the Main Library or the Music Library to be directed to a staff member who can help you.  In addition, feel free to make an appointment (on the right of this screen); click on "Make a Research Appointment" on the Library home page; give me a call at 204-727-9645; email me at ramagem@brandonu.ca; or use the Chat service on the Library home page. 

 

Things to know about Government Documents

  • Governments publish a lot of information on a wide variety of topics.
  • Sometimes it will make a difference which Government published the document you want - for example, if you want a specific law, it is useful to know if it is a federal law or provincial law. If you need help with this, ask us.
  • Increasingly, these Gov Docs are available on the web. The BU Library cannot always get paper versions of these items.
  • There are databases which index fulltext online Gov Docs. These will make it easier to identify online Gov Docs.
  • There are Canadian Statistics in places other than the Census.
  • Looking for Canadian Censuses? Chances are, you are looking at a year ending in a 1 (2011, 2001, 1991, and so on) or a 6 (2006, 1996, 1986, and so on). Many of these documents are in the Government Documents Collection which is in the North Stacks of the Library.
  • A search on the BU Library Catalogue/One Stop Search will return Gov Docs (and videos, ebooks, streaming videos, and so on) along with all other results that match your search. They may be located in the Gov Docs section in the North Stacks, or they may be found in areas throughout the Library, including Main, Music, Reference, Oversize, and Reserve. 
  • Not all Gov Docs in the BU Library are found on the BU Library Catalogue (statutes, for example). Please ask if you cannot find what you want.

The Library

Hi!

Profile Photo
Marian Ramage
she / her / hers
Contact:
I am available to meet with students and faculty members in person, on Zoom, on Teams, or by phone:
204-727-9645