In 2024, an Ad Hoc Committee / Working Group was established by the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) to follow-up on the 2016 work on RAD, the March 2024 survey regarding RAD, and the Reconciliation Framework. Six meetings took place and there were discussions on a way forward to address the diversity of concerns and ultimately, the work of the Ad Hoc committee was suspended, but has continued to be part of the work of the CCA Board and its long-term objectives.
CCA is mindful that Records in Contexts continues to be a priority for the International Council on Archives and that the community is seeking leadership and direction with regard to updating the current Canadian standard, Rules for Archival Description, last updated in 2008.
To that end, CCA has been working with Library and Archives Canada and the Council of Provincial and Territorial Archivists, considering the concerns raised by members of the Ad Hoc Committee, as outlined in the Spring 2025 Archivaria, “Whither RAD: Do We Continue the “Voyage of RAD” or Prepare for the “New Canoe”?”, and as a point of departure, is seeking your input regarding ways that you work around or modify your use of RAD. If you are able, we would also appreciate documentation, policies, or training materials you use to adapt RAD at your institution.
Click here to fill out the Survey on the use of Rules of Archival Description: https://form.jotform.com/261324717590054
This survey can be completed by both active and retired archival professionals. Please answer as many questions as relevant. No field is required.
Please complete the survey by Sunday, July 19th, 2026.
Thank you,
Paul J Henry, FRSA CA SIG
City Archivist / Archiviste municipal
City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa
Director, Canadian Council of Archives Board of Directors / Directeur, Comité de direction du Conseil canadien des archives
J.M. McCutcheon, PhD
( she | her | elle )
Executive Director / Directrice exécutive
Canadian Council of Archives / Conseil canadien des archives