LAC plaques not in public sight

Re: Minister distances self from library code, March 20.

Library and Archives Canada is in the news over the whimsical new requirement for its employees to undergo training related to a code of ethics.

For me, there is a second curious issue relating to this venerable public institution. Why are the familiar burgundy-and-gold federal plaques honouring two notable Canadians who were historically significant to its founding and development, not on public display?

The plaque to Douglas Brymner, who founded the Dominion Archives in 1872 and was its leader until 1902, was erected in 1940 but is not currently on public display.

The plaque honouring Sir Arthur Doughty, Dominion archivist from 1904 to 1935, has been taken down from the lobby of LAC at 395 Wellington St.

Both men — Brymner in 1938 and Doughty in 1991 — were designated “persons of national historic importance” for their roles in the founding and development of our national archives, upon recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Yet I understand that the Doughty plaque is in storage in Gatineau, and as for the Brymner plaque, well, who knows?

Do we need these personages to be ranked of world heritage significance, like our heritage sites designated by UNESCO, such as the Rideau Canal, for Canadians to honour them appropriately?

Since the Library and Archives is represented on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, which recommends federal designations in the first place, maybe an explanation can be proffered as to why the memory of these distinguished gentlemen has been compromised.

COLIN OLD, Severn Bridge

COLIN OLD A statue of Sir Arthur Doughty, who was Dominion archivist from 1904 to 1935, sits on the north terrace of the Library and Archives Canada building, 395 Wellington St. A plaque also honouring him has been removed from the building’s lobby.