Canadian government agencies develop e-mail management policies

Abstract

As e-mail has become a widely used communication tool by the Government of Canada (GoC), this article examines current e-mail management policies and system implementation in Canadian government agencies. GoC implemented the Records, Document, and Information Management System (RDIMS) as an integrated system tool for efficient document and records management. RDIMS provides the capability to create, manage, and access information and documents, regardless of ministerial, departmental, or geographic location. GoC presents legal guidance on e-mail management, based on the Access to Information Act, Privacy Act, and Library and Archives of Canada Act. Developing an e-mail management policy promotes an effective capture, management, and retention of e-mail messages.