More than four million people have been helped by Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) new online Help Centre since it was launched just six months ago, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has announced.

“The government is committed to improving service and the new online Help Centre is part of that plan,” said Minister Kenney. “People have questions about how to come to Canada and this new user-friendly and convenient Web tool provides the practical information that they need in a quick and effective manner.”

The Help Centre is a one-stop Web portal with an advanced search function where visitors can find quick and direct answers, including how to complete application forms, extend visas as well as other permits, and replace lost documents, such as permanent resident cards. The portal contains more than 600 commonly asked questions and answers as well as more than 200 glossary terms, which may be found easily by searching by keyword or simply by browsing. The Help Centre also enables people to easily access help tools, how-to-videos as well as application forms and guides.

The Help Centre registers more than 150,000 visits every week and the clear success of the tool is reflected in visitor feedback. One person comments that it is “a very useful site with lots of helpful answers” and another notes that the “easiest way to get quick answers to your questions is to use CIC’s Help Centre.”

The new online Help Centre is part of a growing suite of online Web tools available on the CIC website. This includes the Come to Canada site, which helps potential immigrants to Canada determine the immigration programs they may be eligible for. Also, the new interactive Living in Canada tool for newcomers helps them adjust to life in Canada and find services, including an interactive map that allows people to find settlement organizations in their area.