ANDRZEJ SOWA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Outcry over Funding Cuts
In the wake of the elimination of the NADP there has been a groundswell of
outrage.
On May 28th, archivists and supporters from across the country came together in
Ottawa to protest the elimination of the NADP. They marched in silence to LAC’s
offices where a mock funeral was held. Speakers included the Lara Wilson,
president of the Canadian Council of Archives, a representative from CAUT, and
three Members of Parliament.
On May 31st, 2012, the Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA) withdrew from
LAC’s Pan Canadian Documentary Heritage Network (PCDHN) on the grounds that LAC
has violated its mandate to “support the development of the library and archival
communities” and to “provide professional, technical and financial support to
those involve in the preservation and promotion of the documentary heritage and
in providing access to it.” According to the ACA, the PCDHN cannot possibly
address the “diverse needs and interests of archives across Canada.” Since then,
the Canadian Council of Archives, the Association of Provincial and Territorial
Archivists of Canada, and the University and College Archivists of Canada have
all withdrawn from the PCDHN. The Canadian Historical Association has written a
letter to the Librarian and Archivist of Canada stating: “We remain convinced
that the best way to provide the services that were lost with the cancellation
of NADP is to reinstate this program.”
Numerous organizations and individuals have condemned the cuts, including:
Canada
United States
The Netherlands
Australia
France