On May 26, 2026, the Association of Canadian Archivists issued a letter to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) expressing concern about recent reports that the TDSB Museum and Archives may be closed as part of large-scale budget cuts.

The TDSB Museum and Archives holds records, artworks, artifacts, and archival materials of significant cultural, educational, and historical value. These collections document the history of public education in Toronto and include materials of enduring importance to students, educators, researchers, and the wider community.

In its letter, the ACA emphasized that archives, museums, and cultural heritage institutions preserve irreplaceable records of community memory and public accountability. The letter also noted the TDSB’s responsibilities under the Ontario Education Act for the archival retention and effective stewardship of records considered to have enduring or historical value.

While recognizing the difficult financial decisions facing the TDSB, the ACA strongly urged the Board to reconsider the proposed closure. At minimum, the ACA called on the TDSB to ensure that the archival and museum holdings are transferred to a suitable repository where they can be preserved and remain accessible.

The full letter is available here.