Government of Ontario

General FAQs


How else can I place an order?

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Shop In Person A limited selection of free and priced Ontario government publications are available at ServiceOntario centres across the province. Some Ontario government publications are also available through certain university and college bookstores. Contact specific locations for more information.


Can I be invoiced for my order?

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An invoice order occurs when goods are shipped prior to payment being received, and an invoice is sent to the customer for the amount owing. Publications Ontario only accepts invoice orders where:

  • the total dollar value of the order is over $250.00 before taxes,
  • the order is being delivered within Canada,
  • the order is being placed by a company, an organization or the broader public sector, and
  • the purchase order number is sent on letterhead

An order being placed under a purchase order can be emailed to PubsBillings@ontario.ca.


How do I place an order to be delivered outside of Canada/USA?

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Publications Ontario does not deliver to addresses outside Canada and the US. For all orders placed online, you must provide a delivery address in Canada or the US.


How are shipping fees calculated?

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Shipping fees are based on the total weight of your order and the destination. Your shipping fees are calculated for you by the system.


When may I expect delivery?

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Orders for in-stock items take 1-2 business days to process from receipt before they ship from our warehouse. Delivery times may vary by carrier.


How do I obtain an invoice/receipt?

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You will receive your invoice/receipt in your order confirmation email. You can also log in to your online account or email us at PubsBillings@ontario.ca to receive an electronic copy.


Are all Ontario government publications available through this site?

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Publications Ontario distributes many, but not all, Government of Ontario publications. If you do not find the publication for which you are looking on this site, check the website of the ministry or agency that created it to see if it appears there or contact the ministry/agency in question. Government of Ontario websites can be accessed through www.ontario.ca.


Why does Publications Ontario list products that they do not sell?

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As a service to libraries and other users, Publications Ontario provides information about Ontario government publications that we do not distribute. Contact the publishing ministry for information about obtaining these publications.


Are all publications available in both English and French?

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Some highly technical publications are only available in English; Ontario Regulation 671/92 under the French Language Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.32, allows for exemptions.


Can I reproduce Ontario government publications?

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You can reproduce a single copy of an Ontario government publication that has been posted on a Government of Ontario website for personal use. If you wish to make multiple copies of all or a portion of an Ontario Government publication or wish to make copies for commercial purposes, you require permission from the Queen's Printer for Ontario. For more information, email copyright@ontario.ca.


Can I request an alternate format of a publication?

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If the online or regular-print versions of a publication are not acceptable alternatives, Section 12 of Ontario Regulation 191/11 under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 S.O. 2005, c. 11, requires that ministries make alternate format versions of their publications available to persons with disabilities. For all alternate format requests contact: Publications Ontario, 1-800-668-9938, Toll Free TTY 1-800-268-7095.


How does the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) affect publications?

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Publications are exempt from the provincial portion of the HST. The tax rate that applies to publications under the HST is 5%, the same as under the GST/PST. Some items such as CDs and USB drives are charged the full HST value of 13%.