The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada were originally published in 2003. These Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada is the first pan-Canadian reference document for heritage conservation practice in this country. It offers results-oriented guidance for sound decision making when planning for, intervening on, and using, historic places. They are the result of a major collaborative effort among federal, provincial and territorial governments, heritage conservation professionals and heritage developers.

In anticipation of the next edition of the document planned for the end of 2009, a working group lead by Parks Canada in the context of the Historic Places Initiative has been working since 2004 at updating the Guidelines for Archaeological Sites. The result of this work are the draft Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Archaeological Sites ( doc | pdf ). These reflect the great diversity of experiences in archaeological site conservation in Canada and aim to provide guidance on the preservation, exhibition and integration of archaeological heritage. This draft is currently being used in pilot projects to confirm the guidance recommended in the document. Once finalized, this latest draft will become part of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.

We would like to invite you to take a look at the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Archaeological Sites and use them. Comments and suggestions can be sent to your provincial, territorial or federal representative on the Standards and Guidelines Standing Committee (please refer to page 44 of the draft). Questions concerning this document may be sent to Virginia Sheehan at virginia.sheehan@pc.gc.ca

Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Archaeological Sites ( doc | pdf ) Normes et lignes directrices pour la conservation des sites archéologiques ( doc | pdf )