HomeThe federal government is the single-largest owner of heritage properties in Canada (with some 60,000 properties). In 1982, Parks Canada and the NCC prepared a Memorandum to Cabinet proposing protective measures for federal heritage buildings. A federal heritage buildings policy was approved and is now administered by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) under the authority of Environment Canada.
Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office
Though protecting a federal heritage building is the responsibility of the managing department, FHBRO was put in place to evaluate the heritage importance of such buildings and to advise departments on how to apply the policy. Fewer than a dozen heritage buildings have been lost in Canada since the policy was introduced, though many thousands have been evaluated. FHBRO works through a committee to identify heritage buildings (those that are associated with important events or people or that have architectural importance) and to designate them as either “classified” or “recognized”.
Classified Buildings (Highest level of recognition)
The custodial department must maintain the heritage character of the building, and FHBRO must be consulted on any “significant intervention” (that is, purchase or sale, alteration, dismantlement or demolition).
Recognized Buildings
The custodian is encouraged to preserve the heritage qualities of the property, and FHBRO is consulted on any “significant intervention” that involves alteration, dismantlement or demolition.
Federal Heritage Buildings Policy
Most heritage policies involve “putting things back the way they were” and making sure they stay that way. Treasury Board policy on heritage buildings integrates heritage considerations into the normal business of property management. Federal buildings, even those with heritage importance, must be used, and must remain operational. Thus, the policy does not stipulate that heritage buildings will remain untouched; instead it specifies that the management regime will include heritage values, where they exist. For buildings in the Capital region, three representatives from the NCC sit on the FHBRO committee. In addition, all recommendations for designations of buildings in the Capital region must be signed by the NCC Chairperson before they go for approval to the Minister of the Environment.
Buildings in the Capital Region
As of 2001, FHBRO had evaluated some 320 NCC buildings in the Capital region: 13 have been classified, 50 recognized. That makes the NCC the fifth-largest owner of federal heritage evaluated buildings in Canada and the fifth-largest owner of recognized buildings. In accordance with the National Capital Act and through the federal land use and design approval process, the NCC has separate authority to approve any proposals for changes in use or alteration to federal buildings — including heritage buildings — in the National Capital Region.
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