I am concerned for the…

I am concerned for the Archeology sector in Ontario. If you didn’t already know, in Ontario, all infrastructure projects require archeologists to clear the site after searching for of any significant artifacts or human remains. The purpose to ensure we aren’t bulldozing heritage sites, or if builders finding human remains, or important Archaeological artifacts that can be extremely relevant to indigenous communities. In addition, they survey soil in the area they are excavating which I imagine is an important environmental survey.

With the proposal, this practice would be at risk.

According to the Ontario Archaeological Society;

“ Under this model, municipal projects like bridge reconstructions, municipal roads, and ALL private sector infrastructure would no longer be subject to EA Act requirements.

Removal of the current regulations that trigger archaeological assessment in advance of these development projects, could leave both known and unknown archaeological sites and Ancestor burials vulnerable to disturbance and destruction.

Municipalities generally do not have a full list of known archaeological sites and are dependent on consultant archaeologists to compile and deliver a Stage 1 report on the archaeological potential of a given project area.

After a previous round of consultation on these legislative changes, the provincial government did not take feedback from Indigenous Communities into consideration while drafting this latest iteration.

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation raised concerns that changing the EA regulations in this way would result in reduced consultation with First Nations on development projects-a step that would fly in the face of UNDRIP and the TRC Calls to Action.”

Not to mention Archeologists in Ontario would could likely face less hours, or even lay-offs if private and municipalities do not continue to have proper archeological surveys to be done. It is already a vulnerable profession in Ontario due to it usually being able to perform in the winter months. My partner is an archeologist, we are a young couple in Ontario and this may force us to move from the home that we love.