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Editorial Policy

Refdesk.ca publishes analysis and practical guidance for Canadians. This page explains how our content is made, where our facts come from, how we verify them, and what we do when we get something wrong. Last updated: July 9, 2026.

Analysis, Not Original Reporting

Our daily posts are commentary and analysis, not original journalism. We build on reporting from established Canadian outlets and on primary sources such as government announcements, budgets, and official statistics. The value we add is interpretation: what a development means for Canadians, who is affected, and what to do about it. Facts drawn from other outlets' reporting are attributed inline to the publication that reported them, and every post lists its sources.

How Our Content Is Produced

Refdesk.ca uses AI tools to help research and draft content at a pace a small team could not otherwise sustain. Drafting follows a written rulebook: facts must be attributed to named sources, material claims must appear in multiple credible sources or an official primary source, actionable figures (deadlines, benefit amounts, eligibility rules) are checked against the official government page before publishing, and opinion is signalled as opinion. A human editor reviews and approves content and remains responsible for everything published on this site.

Sourcing and Attribution

  • We name and link the sources we rely on, inline and in a sources list.
  • We prefer primary sources — legislation, official announcements, regulators, Statistics Canada — for anything actionable.
  • We paraphrase in our own words and quote sparingly, always with attribution.
  • We do not republish allegations from weak sources; unproven claims are framed as allegations and attributed.

Guides and Review Dates

Our evergreen guides display the date they were last reviewed. Figures such as tax credits, benefit amounts, and program rules are re-verified against official sources on a rotating schedule, and each guide's accuracy section explains how to report an error in it.

Not Professional Advice

Content on Refdesk.ca is general information, not financial, legal, medical, or immigration advice. Rules change and individual situations differ — confirm details with the official source or a qualified professional before acting.

Corrections

When we get a fact wrong, we fix it and note the correction — we do not silently edit substance. To report an error in any post or guide, email [email protected]. We review all reports within 48 hours.

Advertising and Affiliates

Refdesk.ca is supported by advertising and affiliate partnerships. Editorial picks are never determined by paid relationships, and paid placements are labelled. See our Privacy & Disclosures page for details.