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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 Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) will further integrate its information on the management of the federal
government by enhancing the TBS Web site, exploiting new communication media and offering an automated web-based
application for reporting purposes to departments and agencies. The Secretariat will identify key horizontal enablers
that will enhance the level of client service to both internal to government and external clients.
This public report describes the progress made on GOL initiatives within TBS.
The functions and mandate of the Treasury Board Secretariat were amended on December 12, 2003. TBS is
now tasked with providing advice and support to Treasury Board Ministers in their role of ensuring value for money as
well as providing oversight of the financial management functions in departments and agencies. The Secretariat also
plays a key role in supporting the activities of the Expenditure Review Committee.
TBS 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.
As the management board, TBS works with departments and agencies to improve management practices across government.
Although most of the work carried out by TBS does not directly affect the public at large, its policies, directives and
guidelines are followed by departments and agencies who deliver programs and services to Canadians. In fact,
departments and agencies rely on information from TBS to carry out their activities.
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, TBS restructured and redesigned its departmental Web site. The project's goal was to make
the site more user friendly by improving the way the information was organized, accessed and displayed. Information is
increasingly tailored to the various audiences and specialized portals. Discussion forums and on-line consultations
with various stakeholders may also be included in the near future.
Information is now organized by four primary navigation modes:
- Audience
- Activities
- Topics (A to Z)
- Organization
The Web redesign positions TBS for future information technology (IT) enhancements. Interactive tools will be
introduced to handle the high volume of requests on the Web. In addition, clients may be able to establish on-line
profiles and receive information based on these profiles.
2. Estimates On-Line
The Estimates are now available on-line but further improvements in format, detail and timeliness are possible.
Since these improvements would be facilitated by new Expenditure Management Information System (EMIS) infrastructure,
progress will depend on its implementation.
Highlights could include:
- more detailed results-based management and accountability in departments and agencies;
- more usable format, and better timeliness, quality and usefulness of the documents;
- better quality planning and financial performance information;
- ability to analyze information across departments and gain new knowledge about the government's overall plans,
costs and programming; and
- a web-based means to review this information on a government-wide basis for use in research, planning, resource
allocations and other decision-making.
For more information, please contact:
Stéphanie Durand
A/Director, Corporate Communications and New Media
Strategic Policy and Communications
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R5
Telephone: (613) 957-2427
Facsimile: (613) 998-9071
e-mail: Durand.Stephanie@tbs-sct.gc.ca
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