Canadian Archaeological Association Meetings - Session: The Business of Archaeology in Ontario

The Business of Archaeology in Ontario”

Archaeological consultants form the bulk of the archaeology being done in Ontario, under the guise of Cultural Resource Management. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport licenses archaeologists, directs the manner of archaeology being conducted through the Standards and Guidelines for Consulting Archaeologists and files reports into the Registry. “Consulting” has been an entity in the province for 30 years. But, how effectively does the business end of archaeology work? As consultant archaeologists we work for the developer, but our duty is to the archaeology and associated cultural resources.

At the next annual meeting of the Canadian Archaeological Association in May 2014 in London, Ontario, the Association of Professional Archaeologists (Ontario) will host a session on “The Business of Archaeology in Ontario”. This session will explore the many pitfalls, advantages, and growing pains the industry has experienced since its inception in the province, and seek to present potential solutions. It features an array of speakers including Dena Doroszenko of the Ontario Heritage Trust on Curatorial Care of Ontario’s Archaeological Heritage; Hugh Daechsel of Golder Associates on Managing Large Scale Projects; Raivo Uukkivi and Patrick MacDonald of Cassels Brock legal firm on Duty to consult - what is and what is not required of the professional archaeologist, and Contracting in Archaeology - the importance of a clear contract; and Jim Sherratt of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport on Striking the Right Balance: A Ministry Perspective on the Licensed Archaeologist and Archaeological Consulting. A panel discussion on key issues and questions concludes the session.

The Association of Professional Archaeologists (Ontario) works to promote professionalism in Ontario. Find out more about us at www.apaontario.ca and on the conference which runs from May 14th to 18th, 2014 at http://canadianarchaeology.com/caa/annual-meeting.