Macdonald, Donald K., "The Federal Heritage Buildings Policy: Is it worth saving?"

The first ever federal heritage buildings policy was adopted by the Government of Canada in 1982. Yet, despite internal audits and three text revisions, the policy largely remains a compartmentalized self-assessment process that is strictly limited to a selected group of Crown-owned buildings. Protection of any federally-designated heritage building ceases upon alienation from federal ownership. The Canadian public has no official input into either the designation or intervention review process. Moreover, inherent policy shortcomings and loopholes, limited scope, departmental interpretation and diversion tactics, and inadequate program knowledge-both within and outside the federal regime - all contribute to weaken the policy's potential to become a strong cultural planning tool of national importance. One that effectively affords buildings that achieve designation as "Federal Heritage Buildings " the level of respect and protection that they deserve and must maintain for current and future Canadians to appreciate and enjoy.

This paper attempts to chronicle the evolution of federal built heritage conservation in Canada from its genesis to its present situation. The policy, process and current initiatives behind the Federal Heritage Buildings Policy are explored, and several areas of concern with the program discussed at length.

Atlantic Planners Institute

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This document was last modified on November 30, 2000.