Canadian Encyclopaedia definition:

Archives are usually defined as the permanent records. In this sense, archives constitute that coherent body of recorded information created or received by a government, corporate body or organization in the course of its business, or by an individual in his or her activities, which is selected for its enduring value and then maintained, preferably in continuous authorized custody, as a record of that business or activity.

University of Waterloo

Permanent Documents 

1. Definition 

A permanent document is a business paper, file, or series of conventional or machine readable files: 

a) Essential to the conduct of continuing business of an office.
b) Which reflects the history of the office, its growth and change, its staff and programs, its policies, procedures, and relationships. 
c) Which reflects the history of the University and the role of specific offices, departments, disciplines, projects and research in that history. 
d) Which provides legal or testimonial evidence of actions taken or not taken. 
e) Which establishes fiscal responsibility, documents costs and expenses. 
f) Which supports an administrative policy, program or proposal. 
g) Which records privileged, confidential, or personal information. 

It really varies from organization to organization, based on what "they" consider to be permanent records, archival records or records of enduring or historical value.

Just a few thoughts.

John

John A. Gervais
Program Manager
Policy and Guidelines Section
Information Policy and Governance Division
Statistics and Information Management Directorate 
Corporate Strategies and Business Development Branch 
Canada Revenue Agency
320 Queen St., Place de Ville, Tower A, 6th Fl., 
Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0L5 
Tel: 1-613-946-0245
Facsimile: 1-613-941-9649
E-mail: mailto:[log in to unmask]
 
 

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