UNE members, archivists and concerned citizens gathered at the Library and Archives Canada main building yesterday to mourn the loss of our documentary heritage.

“On behalf of over 68,000 academic staff from universities and colleges across Canada, we proudly join all of the archivists and allies who are gathering here in Ottawa today to mourn the loss of the National Archival Development Program,” said Angela Regnier, communications officer for the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

The National Archival Development Program is a grant program that helped support provincial, territorial and municipal archives. The program is being eliminated. According to the Canadian Historical Association, the program’s small annual budget of $ 1.7 million supported over 800 local archives during the past 26 years.

Regnier says the National Archival Program is just the latest victim of this government’s attacks on access to research, knowledge and cultural heritage.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers also condemned changes to Library and Archives Canada’s mandate and the loss of many knowledgeable employees. Last month, 235 of the 544 UNE members who work at Library and Archives in Ottawa received notices. The department says 105 positions will be eliminated.

What you can do:

• Write a letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages James Moore and to Librarian and Archivist of Canada Dr. Daniel Caron. For key points to write about, click here.
• Go to the Save Library and Archives Canada website and sign up for updates.

There are photos of the rally on our Flickr page!