Q. Are we allowed to reproduce Canadian federal government publications?

Not necessarily. It varies depending on the federal department or agency that produced the work. From the (no longer active) Government of Canada Publications' Crown Copyright and Licensing website:

• "As of November 18, 2013, Publishing and Depository Services no longer administers Crown Copyright and Licensing on behalf of Government of Canada departments and agencies. Should you be seeking copyright clearance for Government of Canada information, please contact the department or agency that created the information.
• Some departments and agencies have provided specific contact points to request copyright clearance related to their material. ...please consult the links on the Canada site's list of Government of Canada Departments and Agencies."

That being said, many of the Government's departmental and agency sites and documents do still refer to previously-made pre-2013 blanket statements about copying:

When permission is not required:

• "Permission to reproduce Government of Canada works, in part or in whole, and by any means, for personal or public non-commercial purposes, or for cost-recovery purposes, is not required, unless otherwise specified in the material you wish to reproduce."

When permission is required:

• "Permission is always required when the work is being revised, adapted, or translated regardless if the purpose of the reproduction is for personal or public non-commercial distribution, or for cost-recovery purposes"
• "Permission is always required when the work being reproduced will be distributed for commercial purposes."

However, you should always check with the Government department or agency in-question. If you aren't sure, contact the copyright team through theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.