Archaeological Management Plan

Our Archaeological Management Plan (AMP) aims to develop a new strategy and framework to minimize the loss of any archaeological resources within the County’s jurisdiction.

About the plan

Decision-makers and planners are required to be aware of all lands containing known archaeological sites or areas of archaeological potential in order to make informed decisions about land planning. Developing an Archaeological Management Plan ensures a framework is in place to help guide this process.

We're currently working with Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. (ARA) to prepare the County's first Archaeological Management Plan.

The finished plan will include:

A comprehensive report proposing new protocols, policies, roles/responsibilities, and management strategies to be integrated into the County’s Official Plan and planning framework.
A GIS map layer identifying the following for every land parcel in the county:

1. Whether there is still archaeological work to be completed;
2. Whether archaeological work has been completed and there are no further requirements for archaeology; or
3. Whether no previous archaeological work has occurred.

Only parcels that satisfy #2 would be considered cleared for development.

Public engagement

As the County is located within the traditional and/or treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council, these First Nations and Indigenous communities will be engaged throughout the project.

Engagement with partners, and the public will also extend throughout the life of this project to provide opportunities for information sharing, feedback and education.

Current opportunities

Check back for upcoming opportunities.

Timeline

Contract award to Archaeological Research Associates: March 2023
Background research and data collection: Summer – Fall 2023
Initial public consultation: Winter 2023 – Spring 2024
Draft Archaeological Management Plan: Summer – Fall 2024
Public open house and information booth: Fall 2024
Final Archaeological Management Plan: Winter 2024 – Spring 2025

Frequently asked questions

What is an archaeological management plan?

It is a planning document that assists a municipality in identifying, managing, and protecting archaeological resources within the municipal limits. Archaeological management plans are encouraged by the Ontario Provincial Policy Statement, 2020.

What is an archaeological management plan used for?

The plan functions as a tool for County staff to help clarify the archaeological status of a land parcel and the need for an archaeological assessment as part of the municipal planning process.

What is archaeological potential?

It is the term used when discussing the likelihood of finding an archaeological site based on the proximity of an area to certain environmental, cultural, and logistical characteristics.

Where does the need for an archaeological assessment come from?

The Ontario Heritage Act, enacted in 1975, established that archaeological resources within the Province of Ontario were a protected resource under the stewardship of the government of Ontario. In this it also established that as a protected resource only archaeologists, licenced by the province were authorized to investigate and excavated archaeological site and their artifacts. In the following years, triggers for archaeological assessments were added to legislation, such as the Planning Act through pieces such as the Provincial Policy Statement, indicating the need to have properties assessed, prior to the approval of development application. The Planning Act is the most common trigger, at the municipal level, issuing the requirement of an archaeological assessment.

Where can I find more information on archaeology and archaeological assessments in Ontario?