Canada.ca topic tree and content types
The topic tree and the content types are taxonomies to help design content for Canada.ca.
Canada.ca topic tree
The Canada.ca topic tree is a list all the topics under which there are information and services provided by the Government of Canada, and illustrates the relationships between each.
The first 2 levels of topics in the topic tree must use the topic page template. The template is optional for lower levels.
For a current listing of the complete Canada.ca Topic tree, please refer to the Canada.ca Topic Tree Master.
Canada.ca content types
| Content type | Description | Web type scheme | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| forms | A document to be completed and submitted for a transaction with the Government of Canada | form | Services |
| service initiation | Information that outlines all the steps a person must undertake to complete a task on Canada.ca | programs and services | Services |
| service description | Information including overviews, service standards, related programs or how to provide feedback, relating to a government service | programs and services | Services |
| grants and funding opportunities | An application or process to receive funding from the Government of Canada | programs and services | Services |
| licenses, permits and identification | An application process for identification to allow an individual, company or corporation to possess goods or do actions that would otherwise be prohibited | licenses and permits | Services |
| emergency contact | Information that directs people to contact emergency personnel including first responders and international emergency contacts | contact information | Contact us |
| contact us | Information that allows people to initiate contact with the Government of Canada via email or telephone, in person or by mail | contact information | Contact us |
| contact us – find a representative | A finder to support user-identification of a representative of the Government of Canada | contact information | Contact us |
| contact us – find an office | A finder to support user-identification of an office of the Government of Canada | contact information | Contact us |
| contact us – postal code lookup | A geospatial finder by postal code | contact information | Contact us |
| contact us – region | A contact information profile for a region | contact information | Contact us |
| frequently asked questions | A compendium of accumulated questions and answers | frequently asked questions | Contact us |
| policies | Formal statements that provide context, direction or instruction on results, accountabilities, specific action or use to ensure compliance | policy | Policy and guidance |
| guidance | Guidance documents provide instructions, context, additional information, or best practices regarding interactions with federal government departments/programs/policies, or Canada’s roles and responsibilities for international documents such as agreements and standards. Note that guidance pertaining to legislative statutory and regulatory requirements may be classified as “guidance – legislative” | guide | Policy and guidance |
| guidance – legislative | Legislative guidance (or guidance on legislation) provides information to facilitate awareness, understanding, and compliance with legislative statutory and regulatory requirements and may also describe their administration. Guidance on legislation does not establish new requirements and is not legally binding | guide | Policy and guidance |
| assessments | A determination of performance or worth | assessment | Research, statistics and data |
| datasets | A logically meaningful grouping or collection of similar or related data | dataset | Research, statistics and data |
| research | Research findings or conclusions, typically relating to sciences, engineering, psychology or technical investigation | report | Research, statistics and data |
| statistics | Aggregate or unit-level information respecting a particular topic; commonly stated as numbers | statistics | Research, statistics and data |
| surveys | A sample of data or opinions considered representative of a whole group that may contain questions as well as responses | survey | Research, statistics and data |
| consultations | A proposal for change published to seek views and allow the opportunity for comment | consultation | Consultations |
| backgrounders | Short communications providing a brief explanation of the history of an issue, action or policy | fact sheet | News, promotions and public awareness |
| media advisories | An abbreviated media release that gives basic information about an activity, and that is often used to invite the media to an event, such as a news conference or an emergency site visit | news release | News, promotions and public awareness |
| news releases | A written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something ostensibly newsworthy | news release | News, promotions and public awareness |
| readouts | A written communication that summarizes the content of a meeting, event, etc. involving government officials | news release | News, promotions and public awareness |
| speeches | A talk or address | transcript | News, promotions and public awareness |
| statements | An allegation or declaration, or a recital of facts | news release | News, promotions and public awareness |
| notices | An announcement, notification, warning or alert issued on a specific topic | notice | News, promotions and public awareness |
| alerts | A time-sensitive notification informing recipients that an event possibly causing harm or damage is imminent or likely to occur | notice | News, promotions and public awareness |
| recalls | An announcement to remove a marketed product from further sale or use | notice | News, promotions and public awareness |
| maps | Representations of land or sea, often depicting routes, borders or physical features | geospatial material | News, promotions and public awareness |
| education and awareness | Training + education + artistic + other awareness | article | News, promotions and public awareness |
| promotional material | Descriptive or marketing information about an organization’s activities, or material that promotes products, services, initiatives, campaigns, activities or collections | promotional material | News, promotions and public awareness |
| promotional material – campaigns | Campaigns will be promoted through featured blocks throughout the site | promotional material | News, promotions and public awareness |
| promotional material – initiatives | Initiatives will be promoted through featured blocks throughout the site | promotional material | News, promotions and public awareness |
| promotional material – events | Information about a meeting or activity hosted by the Government of Canada. This may include pages where Canadians can register to attend | event | News, promotions and public awareness |
| promotional material – featured articles | Content that is promoted on Canada.ca on institutional profiles, organizational profiles and topic pages | promotional material | News, promotions and public awareness |
| acts | A law passed by parliament | law and/or regulation | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| regulations | Rules used to carry out the intent of statutes (Acts) enacted by the Parliament of Canada. They are instruments of legislative power and have the force of law | law and/or regulation | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| documents incorporated by reference | Legally binding documents referenced by legislation without being reproduced in legislation itself | law and/or regulation | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| Indigenous treaties | Any arrangement with First Nations or Indigenous peoples in Canada | agreement | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| international treaties | Any arrangement made between the government of Canada and a government or organization abroad | agreement | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| decisions | A decision or formal proposal made by a quasi-judicial or regulatory body | meeting material | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| recommendations | A formal proposal made by a quasi-judicial or regulatory body that must be implemented | report | Treaties, laws and regulations |
| job descriptions | An announcement and/or description of an available position in an organization | employment opportunity | Corporate information |
| organizational descriptions | Resources describing the structure, mandate, purpose, programs and services of an organization or initiative | organizational description | Corporate information |
| program descriptions | Background information on Government of Canada programs. This content may not deliver a service | programs and services | Corporate information |
| program results | Resources describing successes, events or other results of a program | article | Corporate information |
| ministerial and senior official profiles | Biographies or profiles of ministers or heads of departments | biography | Corporate information |
| audit | An evaluation of an organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product | assessment | Government-wide reporting |
| financial material | Documentation used in understanding, managing and reporting on the monetary aspects of any activity or organization | financial material | Government-wide reporting |
| infosource | a series of publications containing information about the Government of Canada’s access to information and privacy programs | report | Government-wide reporting |
| administrative burden baseline | a baseline count of federal requirements in regulations and related forms that impose administrative burden on businesses | statistics | Government-wide reporting |
| departmental actions | Departmental actions to respond to the Red Tape Reduction Commission’s recommendations report | report | Government-wide reporting |
| forward regulatory plan | public list or description of anticipated regulatory changes or actions that a department intends to bring forward or undertake in a specified time frame | report | Government-wide reporting |
| interpretation policy | an overarching document that outlines the commitments, practices, and tools to be applied by institutions when providing Canadians and businesses with information and guidance on regulations and regulatory obligations to be met | policy | Government-wide reporting |
| report on plans and priorities | expenditure plans for each appropriated department and agency (excluding Crown corporations). They describe departmental priorities, strategic outcomes, programs, expected results and associated resource requirements, covering a 3-year period beginning with the year indicated in the title of the report | report | Government-wide reporting |
| departmental performance report | individual department and agency accounts of actual performance, for the most recently completed fiscal year, against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in their respective RPPs | report | Government-wide reporting |
| quarterly financial report | individual departmental financial reports including in-year spending at a departmental level | report | Government-wide reporting |
| ATI annual report | annual report on the management and administration of the ATI Act within an institution | report | Government-wide reporting |
| ATI summary | summary of the management and administration of the ATI Act within an institution | abstract | Government-wide reporting |
| disclosure of contracts | identification, collection and publication of contract information that is to be proactively disclosed | proactive disclosure | Government-wide reporting |
| disclosure of wrongdoings | filing of any information by a public servant that could show that a wrongdoing has been committed or is about to be committed | proactive disclosure | Government-wide reporting |
| grants and contribution awards | transfers of money from the federal government to individuals and to organizations of various types, including businesses and other levels of government | proactive disclosure | Government-wide reporting |
| position reclassifications | the change in the group and/or level of a position or positions resulting from a review or audit | proactive disclosure | Government-wide reporting |
| travel and hospitality expenses | expenditures which include travelling and transportation expenses, provision of meals, beverages or refreshments, for public servants and non-public servants. It may also include entertainment, local transportation to and from events as well as other reasonable measures deemed appropriate for reasons of courtesy, diplomacy or protocol | proactive disclosure | Government-wide reporting |
| transparency – other | Content on an institution’s website that is published for transparency purposes that is not a mandatory report | Government-wide reporting | |
| navigation page | Web pages used to manage a person’s experience that do not have independent consumption value | resource list | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page – topic page | A navigation page representing a Canada.ca topic | resource list | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page – theme landing page | A navigation page representing a Canada.ca theme | resource list | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page – institutional profile | A landing page for an institution on Canada.ca | organizational description | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page – organizational profile | A landing page for an organization on Canada.ca | organizational description | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page – audience page | A landing page for a Canada.ca wide audience with a designated minister | resource list | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page – partnering and collaborative arrangement profile | A landing page for a partnering and/or collaborative arrangement on Canada.ca | organizational description | Navigation and administration |
| navigation page - search page | A search interface page on Canada.ca. | resource list | Navigation and administration |
| website terms and conditions | Terms of use of an institution’s content on Canada.ca | notice | Navigation and administration |
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