Dear Colleagues:
The Ontario government is soliciting the views of Ontarians prior to the April 30th Throne Speech. The Minister of Culture, David Tsubouchi, is
encouraging all cultural stakeholders to participate in the consultation.
It is important that the views of archives, archives workers, and stakeholders be heard in this process. The response deadline is Thursday, April
17, 2003.
The consultation document is available online at:
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/english/consultation/
The consultation document consists of several questions. However, Questions 9 (Planning Better Communities) and 12 (Other Suggestions) are the
most relevant to archives.
You may wish to include the following in your response:
* Archives preserve and make accessible Ontario's history and culture. Archives contribute significantly to our understanding of the development
of this province, its natural and built environment, and the people who lived, worked, or had an impact upon Ontario.
* Archives ensure public accountability. By preserving and granting access to a community's public records, archives provide evidence of the
decisions, polices, and activities of the local government, its predecessors, and its agencies, boards, and commissions.
* Community archives are integral to satisfying statutory requirements pursuant to the Municipal Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Act. These provincial statutes require municipalities to retain and preserve records and archives in a secure and accessible
manner.
* Archives are also vital components of Ontario's cultural and educational life. Archives are places where youth, students, teachers, academics,
writers, researchers, government officials, genealogists, and life long learners can explore a community's heritage.
Happy lobbying! Thank you.
Best Regards,
Loryl MacDonald
President, Archives Association of Ontario
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Loryl MacDonald, Archivist
University of Toronto Archives
120 St. George St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A5
(416) 978-7657
www.library.utoronto.ca/utarms
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