Ontario’s Past Portal and Other Resources for Archaeologists

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Yes, you can create and access both One-key and PastPort accounts from outside of Ontario. There are no restrictions on where a user is connecting from.

If you have trouble either logging into or using PastPort, as a first step, log out and log back into the system. This will often resolve the issue.

If the problem persists, contact the PastPort webmaster at 416-314-7143 during business hours. Outside of business hours, send an email to Archaeology@ontario.ca.

The ministry is committed to ensuring that any such service disruptions are resolved quickly and that impacts to you are minimal. You will be emailed in advance of any planned service disruptions.

No. We will ensure that any service disruptions are followed by a grace period so that you can submit the overdue document without your licence being affected.

The ONe-key website, maintained by ServiceOntario, has a feature to help you recover or change your ONe-key ID or password. Follow the link located beneath the “Sign in” button at the ONe-key site.

You may update your personal contact information at any time by logging into PastPort and following the ‘My Profile’ link in the top menu bar.

It is your responsibility to maintain and update your personal contact information so that the ministry is able to reach you regarding your archaeological licence.

It is important to make sure that your email address in PastPort is accurate as the ministry communicates with licensees primarily by email.

Let us know of any discrepancies you notice. Send a description of the issue either through the Inquiry module in PastPort or by email to Archaeology@ontario.ca.

Include the following information:

• type of record affected: licence, PIF or report
• identification number of the record: licence #, PIF #, report ID #
• title of the PIF or report (if applicable)
• description of the issue

The ministry will investigate all reported discrepancies and will fix all issues that prove valid. We thank you for your patience and support as we resolve these issues.

The Ontario government is committed to protecting your privacy whether you are browsing for information or conducting business with the government through electronic channels. The handling of all personal information by Government of Ontario organizations is governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Collection of personal information

Any personal information that you provide to us through either ONe-key or PastPort will only be used for the specific purpose for which it was collected. A notice of collection in each instance where personal information is collected will let you know what that purpose is. You will not be placed on any mailing lists, nor will your information be released to any third party, except as may be authorized by law. The authority for obtaining this information from you complies with section 38(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Review the government’s privacy statement online.

ONe-key: secure access to PastPort

ONe-key is the government of Ontario's encrypted log-in system. A ONe-key account gives you secure access to Ontario Government ONe-key enabled programs and services, including PastPort.

The secure ONe-key web portal provides a common password-protected access point to PastPort. Your ONe-key ID and password are unique electronic credentials that, provided you do not share them with anyone else, allow only you to access your PastPort account.

PastPort: secure access to your licensing information and documents

PastPort has been built to protect your private information and archaeological licensing information. Outside of authorized ministry staff, only you have access to:

• Your licence record;
• Any of your licence applications on file with the ministry;
• Any of your PIFs on file with the ministry;
• All PIF numbers that have been assigned to you;
• Any of your reports with a status other than “in register”;
• Any ministry review letters or files associated with your licence reports; and
• Any ministry notes on file about your licence, PIFs or reports.

In addition, none of your archaeological documents in “draft” status are visible to other users or ministry staff. This means that you can prepare and save draft documents but the ministry will only see them once you have submitted the final version.

Once a report has been entered into the Ontario Public Register of Archaeological Reports, a version of it will be available to the public that has had all personal information and site location information removed. Similarly edited versions of any pre-2005 reports that are in the ministry’s library may be made available to the public upon request and with the licensee’s permission.

Licensed archaeologists have access to complete versions of reports.

Yes, although PastPort does not yet include an archaeological sites module. The ministry has integrated site date requests with the Project Information Form. By checking a box on the PIF, you will automatically request data for a one kilometer area surrounding your project area as shown on the map attached to your PIF. For other types of data requests, email us at Archaeology@ontario.ca.