Government Administrative Histories Now Online

The histories of all Nova Scotia government departments and agencies are now only an Internet connection away.

Government Administrative Histories Online makes it easier for Nova Scotians to learn more about the functions of government, its structure and its historical development.

This new Internet resource was developed by Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management, which is the centre for information resources relating to government departments and agencies.

"A wealth of administrative and historical information will now be available to students and educators, historians of public administration, and anyone around the world who has an interest in the Government of Nova Scotia," said Brian Speirs, provincial archivist.

Government Administrative Histories Online relies on a simple search engine to help users find information about all government departments, past and present, as well as all current agencies, boards, commissions, offices and Crown corporations.

For example, a search using the word "health" yields four results: the Department of Health, Health Services and Insurance Commission, Office of Health Promotion and Provincial Health Council. Each result brings up a Web page showing the official name of the public body, a brief history, references such as alternative names and names of related public bodies and citations of the sources.

Each administrative history is based on official sources and highlights mandate and functions, name changes and changes in organizational structure or responsibilities.

"Keeping pace with structural changes to government departments and agencies will mean that the information will always be up-to- date, accurate and useful," said Mr. Speirs.

The new resource is available on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/gaho/ .