UPDATE
We were happy to learn early last month that this facility will now remain open. This is great news for archaeology in this area. We hope that our letter (see below) played some small role in this reversal.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Archaeological Society is saddened to learn of Parks Canada’s continuing plans to close their Archaeology Lab in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This purpose-built facility was opened in 2009, specifically designed to preserve, house, and protect the archaeological artifacts from Atlantic Canada’s archaeological sites under federal jurisdiction.

According to a report from the Nova Scotia Archaeological Society (NSAS), Parks Canada’s continued plans are to shutter this world-class laboratory and ship the archaeological artifacts stored there to Gatineau, Quebec, for long-term storage.

The complete NLAS statement on this issue can be read here.

The current President of the NLAS was on CBC Central Radio morning show recently discussing this issue.