Grey County Council has received a detailed update on its ongoing Archaeological Management Plan (AMP), a key project aimed at protecting the region’s rich cultural heritage while enhancing land use planning processes.
Initiated in 2024, the AMP is being developed in three phases: creating a GIS-based archaeological potential model, drafting a formal management plan, and implementing procedures and tools to guide future development assessments. The goal is to ensure archaeological resources are identified and conserved in accordance with provincial policies.
“The AMP will establish new tools and procedures to support archaeological assessment in areas of archaeological potential,” explained Liz Buckton, Grey County’s Senior Policy Planner.
A major milestone was the completion of a digital model identifying lands with potential archaeological significance. Developed by TMHC Inc., the model integrates data on registered and unregistered archaeological sites, landscape features, and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport guidelines. Input from First Nations and Métis communities has been central to shaping this model.
The model, now available for internal review, is already undergoing feedback from Indigenous representatives and a technical advisory committee. Staff anticipate further refinements based on this review and future archaeological assessments.
Grey County has 199 registered archaeological sites, including Indigenous and historic settler sites. Of those sites, 91 are Indigenous villages, camps or burial sites. According to a presentation to council, there is evidence of continuous Indigenous presence from at least the end of the last ice age to the present day.
“As new archaeological assessments are completed and sites are identified and mapped, the model will be refined,” the report to Council noted.
Next steps include drafting the written AMP in-house, with targeted policy recommendations for local and County Official Plans. The final phase will focus on implementing the plan—establishing training, tools, and potentially a digital repository for archaeological reports.
The initiative aligns with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024, which recommends AMP development as a way to ensure proper heritage conservation and early engagement with Indigenous communities.
Council is expected to review the final plan later this year following public and stakeholder consultation.