GovInfo Day Spring: Friday May 8, 2026, Vancouver, BC (In-Person)

GovInfo Day Spring 2026 is coming to Vancouver on Friday, May 8th. Join us at Internet Archive Canada headquarters for a full day of engaging sessions, discussion, and networking with colleagues across government, academic, and public libraries. This in-person event begins at 9:30 am. The program features talks on preserving government information, Canada’s communications history, AI and elections, UN documentation practices, open government, and more, offering practical insights and opportunities to connect with a community dedicated to access and preservation.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of Internet Archive Canada. Registration is free.
This event is being co-organized with Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia Libraries, University of Alberta, and Internet Archive Canada.

Info: Advocating for continued access to the government record is more successful when done collectively. GovInfo Day has provided a venue for new and experienced library staff working with or interested in government information to come together and share ideas, resources and skills to ensure government documents remain available. From its inception, coinciding with the Canadian Library Association’s Information Rights Week, GovInfo Day has grown from a half-day event to two full days and inspired similar events in Ontario and elsewhere.

Info: Canada has a rich history of communications development, yet the government data and records that underpin it have eroded over time due to uneven recordkeeping and preservation. As institutions evolved, collections were dispersed or lost, while privately held records maintained by former staff and researchers remain largely inaccessible.

Modern communications in Canada were shaped by three key institutions created in 1969: the CRTC, DOC, and Telesat Canada. In the 1970s, the DOC produced extensive studies and projects, many stored in libraries or retained by individuals rather than fully archived. As departments restructured, libraries were decommissioned and materials destroyed, leaving significant historical gaps.

The shift to digital in the 1990s further fragmented access, with earlier records often left undigitized. This loss matters for policy transparency, research, and understanding past innovations. This session explores these challenges, highlights “hidden histories,” and ra

Info: It was predicted that 2024 would be the “Year of Deepfake Elections?” Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies have indeed been used at unprecedented levels in elections around the world. However, the consequences of GenAI for elections and the appropriate policy responses remain unclear. Discussing his report, Spencer McKay argues that while GenAI technologies currently pose greater risks than benefits to democratic elections, those risks remain manageable.

Info: As UN documentation practices evolve—shaped by budget constraints, new technologies, and efficiency initiatives—the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library must adapt to ensure continued preservation and access to the decisions of the General Assembly and Security Council. This presentation offers a brief overview of changing documentation patterns and highlights how the Library is responding to safeguard the UN’s decision making record.

Info:

Info: Eamon Duffy will talk about the Canadian Government Information Digital Preservation Network’s (CGI-DPN) activities in archiving federal government, political parties, and individual candidate websites from the 2025 Federal Election. This effort was a partnership between the CGI-DPN and Internet Archive Canada, and also involved the participation of volunteer librarians from around the country.

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