In Canada, the majority of legislation affecting heritage buildings is created at the municipal level. The federal government offers little legislative protection for heritage structures or sites. In BC, the Heritage Conservation Act confers protection to pre-1846 heritage sites but is vague concerning more recent heritage.
In 1994, the Heritage Conservation Statute Amendment Act enabled municipal powers to protect local heritage from alteration or destruction. The Vancouver Charter was amended to improve regulations for heritage structures and sites.
To learn more about how heritage is protected through the designation, heritage revitalization agreements and other regulations see Heritage Basics & FAQs or City of Vancouver Heritage Planning.
Acts, Charters & Guidelines
National
- National Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Canada’s Historic Places – Canadian conservation principles and practical guidelines for using and conserving historic sites.
- Historic Sites and Monuments Act – enables the federal government to commemorate historic sites.
- Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act – protects designated lighthouses.
- Heritage Railway Station Protection Act – protects designated railway stations.
Provincial
- Heritage Conservation Act – protects heritage sites or objects pre-dating 1846 on private and public lands or waters in BC.
Vancouver
- Vancouver Charter – outlines measures for heritage conservation in Vancouver, including designation of heritage buildings and sites, and heritage revitalization agreements.
Heritage Briefing for Municipal Election Candidates 2018
The City of Vancouver has a central role in safeguarding the future of historic places. While the federal and provincial governments each have a role in recognizing historic places and supporting conservation, key opportunities sit with the municipality including protecting heritage property from demolition, and enabling and incentivizing its preservation and use. The City as well as the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation are also stewards of many heritage buildings and sites through direct ownership and management of them.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation produced this briefing document to provide information to all candidates in the 2018 municipal election.
View the briefing here