12 October 2023

In May 2023 the Province of Ontario announced plans to break up the Region of Peel (Peel Region) into its three constitutive municipalities: Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon by January 1, 2025. Times of change and transition can endanger archives; however, in the wake of the Province’s decision to dissolve the Peel Region, we have observed rhetoric regarding the Peel Archives that has concerned the Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA) and members of our professional community. Accordingly, we are writing today to update our members about some of the issues we and the Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) are keeping an eye on.

The ACA extends its support of the letter released by our colleagues at AAO and call for the protection of the Peel Archives throughout the process of dissolving the Peel Region. Following on the announcement to dissolve the Peel Region, a five-member board was appointed by the Province to provide recommendations for a dissolution process that "respects taxpayers and protects existing services.” We support the AAO’s call for this board to consider the crucial role that the Region of Peel Archives plays in not only safeguarding the Peel Region’s municipal records, but also in preserving the historical and cultural memory of the Peel Region. We affirm that plans for the dissolution of the Peel Region be made with concern and care for the archival records of its communities and citizens. Furthermore, we stress that any decision about the Peel Archives be made in close consultation with professional archives staff with knowledge of the unique records of the Peel Archives.

Although the plans to dissolve the Peel Region are largely unclear at this time, any plans that impact the Peel Archives must be made in consultation with archivists who can advise on the best course of action for the archival records of the region. Archivists are highly trained professionals, with a unique understanding of the importance of records and the challenges inherent in their preservation. It is essential to the successful dissolution of the Peel Region that its archival staff be consulted on decisions regarding the Peel Archives. Finally, the ACA recognizes the unique importance of the Peel Archives to the archival heritage of the Peel Region and urges the consideration of these recommendations as the plans to dissolve the Region are made in the coming year.

As the calendar moves towards the Province’s deadline, the ACA will collaborate on matters with the AAO where we believe we can provide assistance and support. The ACA recognizes and values the AAO’s expertise and for matters related to Ontario archives, and will lend support where requested, particularly where an impact can be made nationally.

 

Yours in archival solidarity,

Erica Hernández-Read, President

On behalf of the Association of Canadian Archivists Board of Directors