Message to Deputy heads of Institutions Under the Financial Administration Act, Schedules I, I.1 and II

This is to advise you that Treasury Board has approved new Common Look and Feel Standards for the Internet. The standards came into effect as of January 1, 2007, and are to be applied to Internet sites of Government of Canada institutions listed in Schedules I, I.1 and II of the Financial Administration Act. Recognizing the normal lifecycle of departmental Websites, a phased approach for implementing the new standards will be followed to avoid unnecessary costs, with a two-year deadline ending December 31, 2008, for the conversion of existing sites. Websites launched after January 1, 2007, must conform to the new standards.

The Internet is an increasingly important communication tool providing an effective means for the public and the government to exchange information and for the government to offer its services at the time and place of Canadians' choosing. The consistent and predictable presentation of government services and content offered by Common Look and Feel standards facilitate effective online interaction.

The new Common Look and Feel Standards for the Internet were developed to reflect modern practices on the Web, improve navigation and format elements and align with the priorities of the new government. They comprise a set of four standards with 30 requirements. The standards cover Web addresses, accessibility for persons with disabilities, common Webpage formats and email. The most significant changes are a wider format to improve readability, a single consistent common menu bar to enhance usability, and improvements to header and footer elements. A crosswalk table outlining the evolution of the policy requirements is available on the Common Look and Feel Website along with the complete text of all the standards and guidelines.

Institutions are expected to report on their implementation plans in June 2007 and on their progress in December 2007 and January 2009. Additional feedback may be sought periodically.

The Treasury Board Secretariat will provide a series of information sessions for the Web community that will promote and increase understanding of the standards. Treasury Board Secretariat will also provide institutions with support in the form of a common template solution, reference material and downloadable tools. While use of the common template is not mandatory, institutions are strongly encouraged to make use of the template and Cascading Style Sheets package provided by the Treasury Board Secretariat to help ensure compliance with the new standards and to be well positioned to adapt to any new requirements as might evolve.

Please note that your institutional Common Look and Feel Centre of Expertise will be able to provide additional information or respond to questions you may have concerning these new standards. The most current list of institutional Centres of Expertise can be accessed on Publiservice. Should your institution not have a Centre of Expertise, please contact Barbara Dundas of the Chief Information Officer Branch, at Dundas.Barbara@tbs-sct.gc.ca or by telephone at 613-946-4053, if you have any questions.

In closing, I would like to thank you for your continued support of the Common Look and Feel initiative. By applying the Common Look and Feel Standards, your institution can be confident that it promotes consistent branding and contributes to communications across the government that are well coordinated, effectively managed and responsive to the diverse information needs of Canadians.