Retention schedule
An approved schedule governing how long records are retained and how they are disposed of.
Plain English
The rules for how long a type of record is kept before it's archived or destroyed.
If you’re new here
You don't decide this yourself. Ask information management rather than guessing at a cleanup.
What they probably mean
“How long we're required to keep this.”
Interpretation offered as humour, not authoritative guidance.
Bureaucracy level
How much government-speak this phrase carries. Playful indicator, not a judgement of anyone using it.
Related terms
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Important
GC Simplified is an independent tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, and it does not provide official advice. Plain language is an interpretation, and interpretations can be wrong. Always verify against the source and your organization’s own guidance before acting.