A Nation's Chronicle:
The Canada Gazette

Introduction

Welcome to A Nation's Chronicle: The Canada Gazette. Often referred to as "the official newspaper of the Government of Canada," the Canada Gazette has been an important instrument in the Canadian democratic process for more than 160 years. It has served to inform Canadians of the operations of government and to involve them actively in the legislative process. With this site, Library and Archives Canada (LAC), co-operation with the Canada Gazette Directorate, Public Works and Government Services Canada, will make the Gazette available online, in its entirety, for the first time.

Current issues of the Canada Gazette have been available to Canadians at most libraries and through subscription, and the Canada Gazette Directorate has a searchable database on its website of all issues since 1998 (http://gazette.gc.ca/index-eng.html). However, an online database that includes all issues of the Canada Gazette dating back to 1841 and searchable by keyword is a major achievement that allows even greater access to this very important resource.

The database comprises images taken from microfilm, microfiche and rare original copies of the Gazette held by LAC. The digitization of this material, which began in 2007, is still underway. By the end of 2009, visitors to this site will be able to access all issues of the Canada Gazette, from its beginning in 1841 until 1998. For those issues currently available on this site, please go to Search the Canada Gazette.

Also included on this website are educational resources for high school and CEGEP teachers. We hope that this material will assist educators in making Canadian history more immediate to their students and, in particular, in exploring the special form of democracy that is central to our Canadian identity.

LAC gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the Department of Canadian Heritage, whose financial assistance through the Canadian Culture Online Program made this work possible. As well, we are very thankful for the partnership with the Canada Gazette Directorate, which provided funding assistance for the development of the database and invaluable support in the creation of the written content for this site. We also sincerely appreciate the participation of the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean.

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