Supplementary corporate information 2022–2023
Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do
Raison d’être
Under the Library and Archives of Canada Act, the mandate of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is as follows:
- to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations;
- to serve as a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada as a free and democratic society;
- to facilitate in Canada co-operation among the communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge; and
- to serve as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage is responsible for Library and Archives Canada.
Mandate and role
LAC’s mandate to manage Canada’s documentary heritage rests on three pillars:
1. Acquiring and processing documentary heritage
LAC is responsible for acquiring documentary heritage of historical value and that shows developments in various areas of activity within Canadian society over the years. The LAC collection contains documents created and published in Canada and abroad that is of interest to Canadians and stored in various formats. To add to its collection, LAC pursues the mandate assigned to it under the Act as well as various mechanisms that include donations and acquisitions.
2. Preserving documentary heritage
LAC is responsible for preserving its collection to ensure that it stands the test of time and remains accessible to future generations. This responsibility rests on the expertise of its employees who specialize in preservation, on its processes of migration and digitization of content, and on the quality of LAC’s infrastructure.
3. Providing access to Canada’s documentary heritage
LAC’s responsibilities regarding access to documentary heritage consist of facilitating searches and consultation of its vast collection. LAC provides access to its documentary resources by:
- providing the public with digital content and online services;
- providing on-site services at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa and at its service points in Halifax, Winnipeg and Vancouver; and
- contributing to exhibitions that enable the public to discover LAC collections in communities, museums and cultural sites across Canada.
Operating context
Like all federal government departments and agencies, LAC is continuing its efforts to support Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has demonstrated, more than ever, the importance of making the national collection even more accessible and providing services based on users’ needs and the user experience.
To better serve Canadians, LAC will focus on optimizing its digital capacity and transforming its in-person and online services. These priorities are central to a transition focused on digital technology, the needs of the public, and flexible interactions with partners and users.
To implement this transition, LAC will be guided by a new vision and strategic road map. These will guide the institution in its decision making, set the objectives it aims to achieve by 2030, prioritize the activities to be carried out, and influence the organizational culture.
The institution is continuously working to modernize its infrastructure and processes for acquiring, processing and preserving large volumes of digital records and making them accessible to Canadians. Its Digital Asset Management System will become operational after several pilot projects over the past few years.
LAC is following the Policy on Service and Digital and the Government of Canada Digital Standards in developing user-centric virtual services and operations. It facilitates access to Canada’s documentary heritage through its reference, genealogy, orientation and copying services, both remotely and in person at its four service points across Canada. In addition, it is continually improving its online presence and offers rich and varied public programming to help users discover Canada’s documentary heritage.
LAC’s responsibilities with respect to requests under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act go well beyond those of other departments and agencies, as it is the custodian of billions of pages of records held on behalf of over 200 federal organizations. LAC will continue to support the Government of Canada’s response to the settlement of various legal actions and will prioritize implementing its responses to upcoming recommendations from the Office of the Information Commissioner.
LAC contributes to the federal priority of investing in green infrastructure and technology. Its Preservation Storage Facility in Gatineau, scheduled for completion in 2022–23, will be the first federal building constructed to the requirements of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy. It will have a net-zero carbon footprint, just like Ādisōke, the new facility shared with Ottawa Public Library. These green buildings will be environmental models and showcases for the design of future sustainable infrastructure across the country.
As stated in the Minister of Canadian Heritage’s mandate letter, reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation, and the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act, are fundamental commitments of this government. To preserve Indigenous languages and increase access to Indigenous content in its collections, LAC will continue its Listen, Hear Our Voices and We Are Here: Sharing Stories initiatives. It will also process access-to-information and privacy requests related to the various class actions in progress, including the Federal Indian Day School Class Action. Reconciliation is a long process that requires respect and understanding, and it cannot be achieved without finding out the truth.
Like the federal government, LAC has heard the calls for action to address systemic inequalities and disparities, including those within our core institutions, which contribute to the marginalization (whether intentional or unintentional) of many Canadians. LAC also believes that it is essential to create and maintain a respectful, inclusive and diverse work environment and culture to foster the professional development of its employees.