This document contains the policy as revised April 15, 1998. It replaces the
version dated November 15, 1993.
To protect the heritage character of federal buildings.
It is government policy to acquire, use, and dispose of federal buildings in
a manner that protects their heritage character.
This policy applies to all departments within the meaning of section 2 of the
Financial Administration
Act unless specific acts or regulations override it.
(a) Departments must manage buildings they administer so as to conserve their
heritage character throughout their life cycles.
(b) Departments must arrange for the Parks Canada Agency to evaluate all
buildings 40 years of age or older as to their heritage designation before
acquiring, altering, dismantling, demolishing, or selling them. Departments may
also arrange for buildings less than 40 years old to be evaluated.
(c) Departments are responsible for all decisions affecting the heritage
character of a heritage building that has been designated as either classified
or recognized. In making these decisions departments must
(i) in the case of a classified heritage building, consult with the Parks
Canada Agency before selling or undertaking any intervention that may affect
its heritage character; and
(ii) in the case of a recognized heritage building, obtain appropriate
heritage advice before undertaking any intervention that may affect its
heritage character and consult with the Parks Canada Agency as early as
possible before dismantling, demolishing, or selling it.
(d) Departments must take heritage protection into account when granting
leases, licences, or operating agreements involving designated heritage
buildings.
(e) When the existing program use of a heritage building that has been
designated as either classified or recognized ends, or the building is no longer
fully used, departments must make best efforts to arrange for appropriate
alternative uses first within the department, then within the federal
government, then outside of the federal government. In so doing, departments
must
(i) in the case of a classified heritage building, take steps to protect
the building's heritage character and specify the nature and level of
protection in any sale agreement; and
(ii) in the case of a recognized heritage building, decide whether to
continue to protect its heritage character and specify the nature and level
of any heritage protection in any sale agreement.
(f) When selling a property containing a National Historic Site or part
thereof, departments must consult with the Parks Canada Agency.
Note:
The National Capital
Act requires separate approval by the National Capital Commission for
the acquisition, disposal, and demolition of buildings on federal lands within
the National Capital Region, as well as for exterior alterations and additions
to them.
(a) The Parks Canada Agency establishes goals for the protection of federal
heritage buildings and National Historic Sites and develops policies, standards,
or guidelines in consultation with other departments. Through the Federal
Heritage Buildings Review Office, it also provides criteria and a process for
evaluating and designating heritage character, provides advice and
recommendations to other departments, and maintains a register of federal
heritage buildings.
(b) The Minister of Canadian Heritage is responsible for approving heritage
designations for federal buildings on the recommendation of an interdepartmental
advisory board.
(c) The National Capital Commission reviews all proposals for heritage
designation within the National Capital Region and makes recommendations to the
Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The Secretariat will determine how effective this policy is, find out how it
is applied in departments, and decide whether it needs to be revised. It will do
this through ongoing contact with departments, consulting with the Treasury
Board Advisory Committee on Real Property, and noting audits and reviews
conducted by departments or the Auditor General of Canada. The Treasury
Board Guide to Monitoring Real Property Managementprovides information
so that departments can monitor and assess policy implementation.
8.1 Authority
This policy is issued pursuant to the Financial
Administration Act, subsections 7(1), 9(1.1), and 9(2), and theFederal
Real Property and Federal Immovables Act, subsection 16(4).
8.2 Treasury Board publications
Treasury
Board Real Property Revenue Policy
Treasury
Board Guide to Monitoring Real Property Management
Treasury
Board Real Property Glossary
Please direct enquiries about this policy to your departmental headquarters.
For interpretation of this policy, departmental headquarters should contact:
Real Property and Materiel Policy Directorate
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
L'Esplanade Laurier
140 O'Connor Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0G5
Telephone: (613) 941-7173
Facsimile: (613) 957-2405
E-mail: rpmpd@tbs-sct.gc.ca
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