Question Period Note: Advancing Federal Legislation For Historic Places

Advancing Federal Legislation For
Historic Places

· Places, persons and events of national historic significance help to tell Canada's diverse stories, advance reconciliation and create an inclusive and resilient society for everyone.
· Budget 2021 announced the Government's intention to introduce legislation to establish a transparent designation framework and provide for the sustainable protection of over 300 federally owned historic places.
TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSION
· Planned legislation would include Indigenous representation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, in keeping with Call to Action 79 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
SUSTAINABILITY
· The planned legislation would respond to recent public and parliamentary recommendations and protect federally owned historic places for present and future generations.

· Federal institutions administer over 300 historic places. However, the vast majority of them do not benefit from legal protection, including the Parliament Buildings and those owned by the Parks Canada Agency. Canada is the only G7 country without comprehensive legislation to protect historic places within its jurisdiction and the federal government lags behind provinces and territories on this issue.
· Historic places administered by the Parks Canada Agency contribute over $600 million annually to Canada's GDP, and support 6,10o jobs directly and indirectly, including in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
· Parks Canada is advancing work required to introduce legislation to establish a transparent designation framework and to provide for the sustainable protection of over 300 federally owned historic places.
o The planned legislation would provide for First Nations, Inuit and Metis representation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, in keeping with Call to Action 79 (i) of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
o The planned legislation would complete a 2019 Mandate Letter commitment to "provide clearer direction on how national heritage places should be designated and preserved, and to develop comprehensive legislation on federally-owned heritage places."
o Budget 2021 earmarked the funding required to implement such legislation, if enacted: $28.7 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, and $5.8 million ongoing.
· The planned legislation is informed by engagement with key stakeholders, the Minister's Round Table 2017 and 2020, Indigenous groups, provinces and territories as well as recommendations received from:
o Auditor General of Canada, Conserving Federal Heritage Properties (fall 2018); and,
o Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI), Preserving Canada's Heritage: The Foundation for Tomorrow (2017).

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