A PDF version of this policy can be accessed here.
Policy on Statements
Founded in 1922, the Canadian Historical Association | Société historique du Canada is a national, bilingual scholarly association devoted to the research, writing, teaching, and dissemination of history in Canada.
The CHA | SHC encourages the integration of historical knowledge and perspectives in both the scholarly and public spheres, ensures the accessibility of historical resources, and defends the rights and freedoms of emerging and professional historians in the pursuit of historical inquiry, as well as those of history degree holders who utilize the analytical, research, communication, and writing skills they acquired during their studies to pursue a variety of career paths inside or outside of academia.
To these ends, the CHA | SHC may make public statements and/or sign existing statements (statements that originate with an external party) on matters directly related to its mission.
This includes, but is not limited to: government (federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal) policies relating to the discipline and practice of history; post-secondary undergraduate and graduate history programs; funding for historical research; funding for graduate and post-graduate studies in history; archives and archival services; access to information; and freedom of thought and expression in Canada and elsewhere.
The viability of the CHA | SHC rests on a measure of unity among its members. Therefore, its advocacy will seek to speak for as many members as possible.
Any member in good standing of the CHA | SHC may write to a member of the Executive, to a member of the Council, or to the CHA | SHC office requesting a public statement from the CHA | SHC or requesting that the CHA | SHC sign an existing statement.
Statements determined by the president, after consultation with the vice-president or past president, to be in line with the mission of the CHA | SHC will be drafted and signed by the president. Existing statements will be signed by the president.
Statements and existing statements determined by the president, after consultation with the vice-president or past president, to be more substantive in nature will be drafted by the president for unanimous approval by the Executive. Pursuant to the Executive’s unanimous approval, the Executive and the Council will meet either in person or online. A statement must receive a 4/5 majority of the Executive and the Council combined. Electronic votes will be permitted. If the statement passes, the president will sign.
This policy may be reviewed by an ad hoc sub-committee of three Executive and Council members, to be chaired by the president, at the request of an Executive or Council member.