Nominate a historic place
One of the ways you can help to protect a historic place is to
have it formally recognized by your municipal, provincial,
territorial, or federal government.
Individual jurisdictions have developed different grants,
contribution or other programs to support heritage within their
jurisdiction. For example, the Federal government has introduced
matching contribution programs, such as the National
Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program. Places that are important
to the entire country may be recognized as National Historic Sites
Each province and territory has a different system of formally
recognizing historic places. For most jurisdictions, follow these
Step 1: Search the Canadian Register of Historic
Places to find out if the place has been listed.
Step 2: Think about what makes the place
Is the place associated with a historically significant theme,
person or event? If it's a building, is it special for its
architecture or design? Does the place have special meaning because
of its landmark, spiritual, or cultural associations?
Step 3: Consider your answers to the questions
Is your place important at the national, provincial/territorial,
or municipal level?
Level of Designation
- If you think your place is nationally significant, seek a
national historic sites designation.
- If you think your place is important to the province or
territory, seek a provincial or territorial designation.
- If you think your place is locally significant, seek a
Step 5: Contact
your federal/provincial/territorial heritage program.
To learn more about specific programs in your province or
territory, consult the Canadian Register's Partners. Times for the
designation process to be completed will vary from place to place.
Please be patient!
Step 6: Listing your historic place on the Canadian
Register of Historic Places.
How can I get my historic place listed on the Canadian Register
of Historic Places? All historic places designated at the
municipal, provincial, and federal level, with the exception of
some natural and paleontological places, will eventually be placed
on the Canadian Register.