The IRHR Library holds an extensive range of archival materials documenting unions, unionization, labour organizing, and industrial relations in Canada. These collections include clippings, constitutions, correspondence, collective agreements, and publications from nearly all Canadian unions, as well as selected international unions—especially those with Canadian branches. Additional archival sets focus on labour organizing and union activity within specific employment sectors. These materials are particularly strong for the period from 1960 to 1989.

The Library also preserves the institutional archives of the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, documenting more than sixty years of the Centre’s history, including events, teaching materials, faculty research, and collaborative projects, as well as a limited number of private fonds from those working, and researching in the field.

Many of our archival holdings are not yet fully processed. Researchers are encouraged to contact us at cirhr.library@utoronto.ca to inquire about access or materials or book a research consult with us to discuss specific topics.

Processed Finding Aids:

Lancaster House Conference Fonds: Developed in partnership with the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto, the Lancaster House Conference Publications captures nearly two decades of influential professional dialogue in Canadian labour, employment, and human rights law. Documenting annual and special‑topic conferences held between 2000 and 2019, the collection brings together program agendas, legal overviews, case law analyses, legislation, policies, and expert commentary from leading arbitrators, academics, and legal practitioners. The fonds reflects a sustained professional and academic collaboration that shaped legal education, policy discussion, and workplace practice across Canada. Preserved in both print and digital formats, the collection offers a rich resource for researchers exploring the evolution of labour relations and human rights law.

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