Petition to reverse closure of Halton heritage division garners 1,000+ signatures

A petition has been started to reverse the closure of Halton’s heritage services division.

On July 9, Halton Regional Council voted in a public session to stop delivering heritage services by the end of the year, and to deaccession its collection of heritage items.

That collection contains around 35,000 artifacts; including 3,100 photos, 13,000 pieces of archival materials and 18,400 objects such as natural artifacts, farming equipment, artwork, furniture and clothing. About 20 of the items were identified as potential Indigenous items.

While regional officials hope to find homes for the artifacts in other municipalities and museums, the municipality is prepared to auction off or dispose of items that can’t be rehomed.

Today, Halton residents are trying to put a stop to the closures. On Aug. 1, a petition was launched online calling on officials to reverse their decision. Since its release, it has garnered over 1,000 signatures.

“The recent announcement to close Halton Region’s heritage operations has caused significant distress and anger among its residents,” the petition reads.

“This decision, made without public consultation, undermines the historical preservation efforts that our community values deeply and raises questions about representative governance at Halton Region. […] Shutting down these operations is akin to erasing the footprints of our ancestors and dismissing the stories and struggles that have shaped our community.”

READ MORE: History at risk in Ontario’s Halton region as heritage service shutters: historians