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Information Management Centre (IMC)

The Information Management Centre maintains the extensive database used by the 1 800 O-Canada service as well as many of the databases used for the toll-free Customized Information Services.

The Information Management Centre is made up of two teams: the Information Management team and the Editing team.

The Information Management team works with departmental contacts to determine what should go in the 1 800 O-Canada database and sets standards on how the information should be structured for easy retrieval by the information officers.

The 1 800 O-Canada database includes information on over 3,000 programs, services, events and initiatives. It is made up of detailed program descriptions and includes listings for thousands of local offices as well as e-mail addresses and Web sites.

Updating Information

The Information Management team works with contacts across government to ensure information in the database is accurate and up-to-date. In addition, the team regularly updates the database to reflect changes in program delivery, such as the opening of new offices or the addition of new telephone numbers. Team members also monitor the news for events and topics that affect the database or that might generate calls to 1 800 O-Canada.

The Government of Canada's Communications Policy supports this updating process. It provides a framework for government organizations to supply the public with accurate and complete information about their contacts, programs and services through 1 800 O-Canada.

The 1 800 O-Canada call centre also plays a key role in helping update information. Information officers regularly use the database and are often able to recognize when changes are needed. They also get feedback from the public who sometimes informs them of any changes that need to be made to the database, such as office closures or problems with telephone service.

In cooperation with client departments, the information management team also manages the databases that support several of the customized information services.

Quality Control

The Editing team ensures that all documents meet our standards for language quality. Editors also edit, proofread and translate a wide range of documents in both official languages. They are also responsible for making sure that e-mail responses to Canada Site users follow our language guidelines.

The editors also manage the keyword index in the 1 800  O-Canada database, as well as those in the databases used for several customized information services. Information officers use these keywords to search for programs and services in the database.

Updated: 2004-04-01	Top	Important Notices