The Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the formal acceptance of three core recommendations submitted by the Archives Canada Working Group (ACWG) in their 2026 final report now available to the archival community. The report can be found on the CCA website at the following link: https://archivescanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ArchivesCanadaWorkingGroup_Report_2026_EN.pdf
The ACWG report is the culmination of two years of extensive research, including national surveys and focus groups involving practitioners and researchers. The Board wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the archival community for their invaluable contributions, expertise, and participation throughout this process. The Board recognizes that the dedication of individual archivists and institutions is key to the Canadian Archival System.
Key Recommendations Accepted by the Board:
- Re-envisioning Archives Canada as a Service: Archives Canada will transition from being viewed as a static database to an active service requiring ongoing oversight and development. The immediate priority will be the creation of a comprehensive, up-to-date public directory of Canadian archival institutions.
- Addressing the Existing Database: To ensure data integrity, the CCA will temporarily remove current archival descriptions from public view to allow for necessary maintenance and updates. A complete copy of legacy data will be preserved, and new workflows will be established to empower institutions to manage their own content.
- Establishing a Standing Governance Committee: To provide steady leadership, the CCA will establish a standing Archives Canada Governance Committee. This committee will represent diverse regions and professional roles, ensuring the service evolves in alignment with the needs of the archival community and researchers.
The CCA remains committed to fostering a “network of networks” that empowers small and under-resourced archives while providing researchers with the robust discovery tools they require. The new Archives Canada Governance Committee is expected to hold its inaugural meeting by December 2026.