Government On-Line (GOL) Agency Report 2004

GOL Overview

GOL is the Government of Canada's project to provide information and services on the Internet by 2005. The goal of this initiative is to use information and communication technology to provide Canadians with enhanced access to improved citizen-centred, integrated services, anytime, anywhere and in the official language of their choice.

The Parks Canada Agency will further integrate its information on the management of Canada's National Parks, National Historic Sites and National Marine Conservation Areas by continually enhancing the Parks Canada Web site, exploiting new communication media and offering web-based tools for the purpose of accessing our services and programs. This public report describes the progress made on GOL initiatives within the Parks Canada Agency.

Our mandate

On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.

Service Delivery

Parks Canada is committed to ensuring that its on-line information is accessible to all of its users and that the information is accurate, timely and can be easily located. Parks Canada's national office manages the Web site on behalf of the agency and coordinates the delivery of all on-line information and services.

Key GOL Services

1. Web Redesign

   In an effort to ensure easier access to its on-line information and to meet the Common Look and Feel Standards for the Internet, Parks Canada restructured and redesigned its agency Web site in 2003. The project's goal was to make the site more user friendly by improving the way the information is organized, accessed and displayed. Information is increasingly tailored to the various audiences that make use of the Web site to learn more about Canada's natural and cultural heritage and about the agency itself.

   An evaluation of the Parks Canada Web site was completed in March 2004 and will be used to further enhance its design, structure, organization and functionality.

   The Web redesign and evaluation positions Parks Canada for future information technology (IT) enhancements that will better meet the needs of our on-line visitors.

2. On-line Services

Over the past year Parks Canada has introduced a number of on-line services to facilitate access to our programs and resources. Recently, the on-line Campground Reservation Service was launched as a pilot project in order to permit Canadians to reserve campsites through the Internet at a number of National Parks across the country. Canadians can also now search and access on-line 40 000 images from our National Photo Collection. Also now available is the Research and Collection Permit System, an Internet-based application system for the purpose of conducting research in one of Canada's national parks, national park reserves, or national marine conservation areas.

For more information, please contact:
Jean-Pierre Contant
Web Communications Senior Specialist
Parks Canada Agency
25 Eddy Street, 6th Floor (25-6-T)
Gatineau, QC
K1A 0M5

Telephone: (819) 934-1524
Facsimile: (819) 953-7197
e-mail: jean-pierre.contant@pc.gc.ca