Resources

Background

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada grew out of the interplay of disparate elements of public opinion concerned with heritage preservation and Government of Canada policy before the First World War. A growing heritage movement encouraged the government to preserve and develop sites with important historical associations. At the same time, the government was looking to extend its national parks system from the west into the east and the idea of creating historic parks around significant historic structures was conceived. The War delayed the introduction of a government program to identify and preserve Canadian heritage; however, in 1919, James B. Harkin, the Commissioner of Dominion Parks, suggested that "An Advisory Board for Historic Site Preservation" be established, and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was born.

The Board was given a statutory base for its operations through the Historic Sites and Monuments Act of 1953.

Responsibilities

Under the Historic Sites and Monuments Act, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has the statutory responsibility to advise the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and, through them, Parks Canada on the commemoration of nationally significant aspects of Canada's past, including the designation of national historic sites, persons and events. Under the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act and the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, the Board also advises the Minister on the designation of heritage railway stations and heritage lighthouses respectively.

The full Board meets twice a year to consider submissions related to potential subjects of national historic significance from the general public, heritage organizations, provincial and municipal governments. The various committees, which the Board has established to expedite its work, namely the Inscriptions Committee, the Status of Designations Committee and the Lighthouse Committee meet as required.

National commemoration programs

Description: information on the commemoration and designation of places, persons and events of national historic significance under the National Program of Historical Commemoration; the designation of heritage lighthouses and heritage railway stations; and, the National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers.

Document types: Nomination files (including supporting documentation, photos and contact information), Board minutes, reports, plaque inscriptions, heritage character statements, statement of significance, correspondence, criteria and guidelines, and manuals.

Record number: HSM HSM 005

Manuals

• HSMBC Criteria and Guidelines
• PDF
• HTML

Please see the Introduction to the Info Source publication for information on formal access procedures under the provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

To make a formal request, please visit Parks Canada Access to Information and Privacy website.

For additional information about the programs and activities of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, please contact:
clmhc-hsmbc@pc.gc.ca
30, Victoria Street
3rd Floor, (PC-03-M)
Gatineau, QC
J8X 0B3
Toll-free phone number: 1-855-283-8730

In accordance with the Access to Information Act, an area on the premises of this institution has been designated as a public reading room. The address is:

Parks Canada
Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate
30 Victoria St
3rd Floor, (PC-03-M)
Gatineau QC
J8X 0B3