Canadian Rural Information Service
1-888-757-8725
Heritage and the Rural Community Pathfinder

Communities in rural and remote regions want to preserve and promote their heritage. This pathfinder identifies resources available to help them by providing suggestions for federal and provincial funding programs. It also provides contact information for associations, organizations and government departments active in the heritage field as well as a bibliography of books and articles. The "Additional Resources" section includes links to items such as an heritage events calendar, historic sites databases and local histories.

This guide is a growing document, we welcome suggestions for additions.  Please contact us at cris@agr.gc.ca

Canada’s National History Society
Internet: http://www.historysociety.ca/index.asp

Canada's National History Society was established in 1994 as a charitable organization devoted to popularizing Canadian history. It aims to make Canadians more aware and appreciative of their heritage.

478 - 167 Lombard Ave,
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0T6
Tel: 1-800-816-6777
Fax: (204) 988-9309
E-mail: cnhs@historysociety.ca

Community Heritage Ontario
Internet: http://www.heritageontario.org/

CHO's mission is to be an advocate for heritage in Ontario, to encourage the development of municipally-appointed heritage advisory committees and to further the identification, preservation, interpretation and wise use of community heritage locally, provincially and nationally.

CHO Secretary / Treasurer
24 Conlins Road,
Scarborough, Ontario
M1C 1C3
Tel.: (416) 282-2710
Fax: (416) 282-9482
E-mail: shs@interlog.com

Le Conseil des monuments et sites du Québec
Internet: http://www.cmsq.qc.ca

A non-profit organization created in 1975, the Conseil des monuments et sites du Québec (CMSQ) is dedicated to preserving and promoting monuments and sites in Quebec.
Note: Web site only available in French.

82, Grande Allée Ouest
Québec (Québec) G1R 2G6
Tel.: (418) 647-4347 or 1-800-494-4347
Fax.: (418) 647-6483
E-mail: cmsq@megaquebec.net  

Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage
Internet: http://www.fnsh.ns.ca/

The Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage (FNSH) supports and promotes heritage for the benefit of all Nova Scotians through education, advocacy and networking.

1113 Marginal Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4P7
Tel: (902) 423-4677 or toll-free 1-800-355-6873
Fax: (902) 422-0881
E-mail: fnsh@hfx.andara.com

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Internet: http://www.heritagefoundation.ca/

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization which was established to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the architectural heritage of the province. The Heritage Foundation designates buildings and other structures as Registered Heritage Structures and may provide grants for the purpose of preservation and/or restoration of such structures.

The Newman Building
P.O. Box 5171, 1 Springdale Street
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1C 5V5
Tel: 1-888-739-1892
Fax: (709) 739-5413
E-mail: info@heritagefoundation.ca

Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec
Internet: http://www.beauxvillages.qc.ca/anglais/accueil_a.html

Association des plus beaux villages du Québec
The Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec mission is to preserve and enhance the value of the architectural and historical heritage, as well as the quality of the landscape in Quebec’s most
beautiful villages.

P. O. Box 42013 Station Saint-Louis
Sainte-Foy, Quebec G1W 4T3
Tel.: (418) 652-8150
Fax: (418) 652-8150
E-mail: villages@globetrotter.net 

Ontario Heritage Foundation
Internet: http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/

The Ontario Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's rich and varied heritage.

10 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1J3
Tel: (416) 325-5000
Fax: (416) 325-5071

Saskatchewan Architectural Heritage Society
Internet: http://www.sahs.ca

The Saskatchewan Architectural Heritage Society exists to promote the conservation, restoration and revitalization of Saskatchewan's built heritage through responsible resource management of the community assets.

214 - 1808 Smith Street,
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2N4
Tel.: (306) 359-0933
Fax: (306) 359-3899
E-mail: sahs@sasktel.net

Canadian Heritage
Internet: http://www.pch.gc.ca/index_e.cfm

The Canadian Heritage department is responsible for national policies and programs relating to broadcasting, cultural industries, arts, heritage, official languages, Canadian identity, Canadian symbols, exchanges, multiculturalism and sport.

Canadian Heritage National Office
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5
Tel.: (888) 773-8888
E-mail: information@pc.gc.ca 

Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN-RCIP)
Internet: http://www.chin.gc.ca/English/index.html

Promotes and facilitates access to Canadian and international heritage information.

15 Eddy Street, 15-4-A
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5
Tel: 1 800 520-2446
Fax: (819) 994-9555
E-mail: service@chin.gc.ca  

National Historic Sites of Canada - Parks Canada
Internet: http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/lhn-nhs/index_E.asp

The national historic sites component of Parks Canada is responsible for Canada's program of historical commemoration, which recognizes nationally significant places, persons and events.

Parks Canada National Office
25 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5
Tel.: (888) 773-8888
E-mail: information@pc.gc.ca 

National Funding Programs

Community Memories Program - Virtual Museum of Canada
Internet: http://www.chin.gc.ca/English/Members/VMC_Memories/ index.html

The Community Memories program strengthens the capacity of smaller museums to create content for the Web by supporting their development of online local history exhibits. Museums whose proposals are selected are supplied with user-friendly software and a standard investment of $5,000.

VMC Community Memories Project Officer
15 Eddy Street, 4th Floor (15-4-A)
Hull, Quebec K1A 0M5
Tel: 1 800 520-2446 or (819) 994-1200
E-mail: service@chin.gc.ca  

Cultural Spaces Canada - Canadian Heritage
Internet: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/ecc-csp/index_e.cfm

Cultural Spaces Canada seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

Fairs Program - Historica Foundation
Internet: http://www.histori.ca/fairs/default.do?page=.main_ov§ion;= programoverview&rinfo;=sb_one&cont;=about

Historica Fairs begin as hands-on classroom projects. Students research an area of Canadian history, often of local or family interest, and present their discoveries using the medium of their choice. In May, across the country, participating schools take part in a Community or Regional Heritage Fair, which showcases anywhere from 50 to 300 student projects. It is a community event where local museums, historical associations, businesses and multi-cultural groups offer workshops, demonstrations, food and entertainment. Some students go on to participate in the National Heritage Fair, or add their projects to Historica’s online Heritage Fair Showcase.

Tel: 1-877-739-4056
E-mail: HistoricaFairs@histori.ca

Hudson’s Bay Company History Foundation
Internet: http://www.hbc.com/hbc/socialresponsibility/history/

Hbc’s History Foundation is a private charitable foundation controlled by Hudson’s Bay Company. Hbc established the Foundation to advance knowledge of, and interest in, Canadian history through financial assistance to qualified recipients.

Hudson’s Bay Company History Foundation
401 Bay St., Suite 2801
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4

Partnerships Fund - Canadian Heritage, Secretariat of the Canadian Digital Cultural Content Initiative
Internet: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/pcce-ccop/ progs/part_e.cfm

The primary objective of the Partnerships Fund is to connect all Canadians, particularly youth and life-long learners, with the riches of Canada's heritage by making Canadian cultural collections held by provincial, municipal and local cultural organizations available online in both official languages.

Virtual Museum of Canada Investment Program- Canadian Heritage Information Network
Internet: http://www.chin.gc.ca/English/Members/ Vmc_Investment_Program/ index.html

Members of the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) are invited to submit proposals for the production of content for the Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC).

Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
Attention: VMC Investment Program
15 Eddy Street, 4th Floor (15-4-A)
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5
Tel: 1-800-520-2446
Fax: (819) 994-9555
E-Mail: service@chin.gc.ca

Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations - Canadian Heritage
Internet: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/ycw-jct/html/welcome_e.htm

Young Canada Works (YCW) provides wage subsidies to help secondary and post-secondary students access summer work experience in key cultural and heritage sectors. Employers are organizations working in the cultural heritage sector, including national, provincial/territorial, municipal or community level not-for-profit museums, archives, libraries and other related organizations or educational institutions, businesses.

For more information - Employers/Sponsors:
Tel: 1 800 935-5555
Internet: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/ycw-jct/html/
employer_info_e.htm

Provincial Funding programs

Alberta

Alberta Main Street Program
Internet: http://albertamainstreet.org/

The Alberta Main Street Program is a downtown revitalization and architectural rehabilitation program supported by the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and administered through Alberta Community Development. The program provides funds and professional design advice regarding the rehabilitation of storefronts in historic downtown areas in conjunction with organization, marketing and economic development initiatives.

2410 Monenco Place
801 – 6th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T4C 1A4
Tel: (403) 297-4082
Fax: (403) 297-4093
E-mail: info@albertamainstreet.org

Heritage Preservation Partnership Program - Alberta
Internet: http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/preserving/heritage/ahrf/ partnership/index.asp

The primary purpose of the Alberta Historical Resource Foundation is to encourage initiatives that preserve and interpret Alberta's rich heritage. This is done by providing financial, technical and professional assistance to community-based heritage projects ranging from the restoration of historic buildings to the publishing of community histories.

Program Coordinator
Alberta Historical Resources Foundation
Tel.: (780) 431-2305

British Columbia

Conservation and Feasibility Planning Program -
Heritage Branch, BC Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts
Internet: http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/heritage_branch/ planning_programs/ cons_feasplans.htm

This program supports the preparation of conservation or feasibility plans for historic places included on an official community heritage register.

Heritage Branch
P.O. Box 9818 Stn Pro Govt
Victoria, British Columbia 
V8W 9W3
Fax: (250) 356-7796
E-mail: heritage@gov.bc.ca

Strategic Planning Program -
Heritage Branch, BC Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts
Internet: http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/heritage_branch/planning_programs/ strategicplans.htm

This program supports the preparation of a five to ten year strategy within which to plan, develop, implement and evaluate a community heritage program. It presents the community consensus reached about heritage conservation priorities.

Heritage Branch
P.O. Box 9818 Stn Pro Govt
Victoria, British Columbia 
V8W 9W3
Fax: (250) 356-7796
E-mail: heritage@gov.bc.ca 

Heritage Legacy Fund of British Columbia - Heritage Society of BC
Internet: http://www.heritagelegacyfund.ca/

The purpose of the Heritage Legacy Fund of British Columbia is to conserve BC's heritage, and take an active interest in historic buildings, landscapes, trails, sites and other heritage resources. The Society advocates sound and responsible heritage policy, legislation and practices to government, promotes awareness of the value of heritage, and supplies information on a variety of subjects and issues.

Heritage Society of BC
P.O. Box 8843
Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3Z1
Tel: (250) 361-3863
Fax: (250) 384-4840
E-mail: heritagelegacy@shaw.ca

Manitoba

Community Places Program - Manitoba
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants/cpp.html

The Community Places Program provides funding support for the upgrading, construction or acquisition of sustainable buildings and other facilities that provide lasting, long-term benefits to community residents. Under Community Places, grants of up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $50,000, are available to recreational, cultural, heritage and other nonprofit community organizations in Manitoba.

3rd Floor - 213 Notre Dame Ave.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1N3
Tel:. (204) 945-0502
Fax: (204) 948-2086
E-mail: mcpp@gov.mb.ca

Heritage Grants Program - Manitoba
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants/hgp.html

The Heritage Grants Program has been developed to assist Manitobans in identifying, protecting and interpreting the province’s human and natural heritage.

330 - 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1N3
Tel: (204) 945-2213
Fax: (204) 948-2086
E-mail: hgp@gov.mb.ca

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Heritage Places
Internet: http://www.gnb.ca/0007/Heritage/Programs/ heritage_places.asp

New Brunswick's Designated Provincial Historic Sites are recognized under the Historic Sites Protection Act as a significant part of New Brunswick's history. These cultural spaces range from archaeological sites and earthworks to buildings of every style and type.

Manager of Planning and Commemorations Heritage Branch,
Culture and Sport Secretariat
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1
Tel.: (506) 453-2324
Fax: (506) 453-2416

Newfoundland and Labrador

Heritage Structure Grant - Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Internet: http://www.heritagefoundation.ca/grant.html

A structure must be designated as a Registered Heritage Structure before its owner is eligible to apply for a Heritage Structure Grant. The grant, administered on a 50/50 cost-shared basis, can cover up to 50 percent of the cost of preservation measures and/or restoration of exterior features only.

The Newman Building
PO Box 5171, 1 Springdale Street
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1C 5V5
Tel: 1-888-739-1892
Fax: (709) 739-5413
E-mail: info@heritagefoundation.ca

Northwest Territories

Community Programs - Northwest Territories
Internet: http://pwnhc.learnnet.nt.ca/ programs/comm.htm

Community-based NWT-registered organizations, local governments, band councils and individuals undertaking projects which will contribute to the creation, preservation, promotion and enhancement of the arts, cultures and heritage of the Northwest Territories are all eligible to apply for assistance.

Community Programs, Culture & Heritage Division
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 2L9
Tel.: (867) 873-7551
Fax: (867) 873-0205
E-mail: boris_atamanenko@ece.learnnet.nt.ca

Nova Scotia

Heritage Programs and Services

Nunavut

Nunavut Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth
Internet: http://www.gov.nu.ca/cley/home/english/index.html

Inuit Heritage Trust - Elder's Recognition Program
Internet: http://www.ihti.ca/ english/projects.html

Ontario

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
Internet: http://www.ocaf.on.ca/en/ index.aspx

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF) is a $20 million initiative to help Ontario's arts, cultural and heritage organizations with new cultural programming ventures. It is open to large and small not-for-profit cultural and heritage organizations in all parts of Ontario.

151 Bloor Street West, 5th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1T6
Tel: 1-800-387-0058 or (416) 969-7421
Fax: (416) 921-8763
E-mail: ksharpe@arts.on.ca

Heritage Community Recognition Program - Ontario Heritage Foundation
Internet: http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/ nts_1_2868_1.html

The Ontario Heritage Foundation’s annual Heritage Community Recognition Program enables municipal and regional councils, First Nation and Métis communities to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to heritage preservation in their communities.

Heritage Community Recognition Program
Ontario Heritage Foundation Marketing and Communications Unit
10 Adelaide Street East, Suite 302
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1J3
Tel: (416) 325-5015
Fax: (416) 314-0744
E-mail: marketing@heritagefdn.on.ca

Prince Edward Island

Heritage Incentives Program - Prince Edward Island
Internet: http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/ onelisting.php3?number=44157

The Charlottetown Heritage Incentive Program includes both monetary and non-monetary incentives for development of individually designated properties and/or properties located in the Heritage Preservation Area. Owners of properties designated as heritage resources in the City of Charlottetown are eligible to receive incentives toward the development of their property.

Heritage Officer
Municipality of Charlottetown (Planning)
Charlottetown, PEI
Tel: (902) 566-5548
Fax: (902) 629-4156

Heritage Recognition Program - Prince Edward Island
Internet: http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/onelisting.php3?number=51998

The goal of the Heritage Recognition Program is to recognize places with outstanding importance because of their architecture, their age or their association with people and events of historical significance. The program provides for public recognition and identification and will both recognize and encourage public stewardship of the province's architectural heritage.

Heritage Coordinator
Culture, Heritage, Recreation & Sport
Community and Cultural Affairs
Sullivan Building
16 Fitzroy Street
Charlottetown, PEI
Tel: (902) 368-5940
Fax: (902) 368-4663
E-mail: jeboylan@gov.pe.ca

Québec

Rues principales Foundation
Internet: http://www.fondationruesprincipales.qc.ca/english/ role_mission.htm

The Rues principales Foundation is a non-profit agency that develops service agreements with municipalities of all sizes wanting to take charge of the socio-economic development and revitalization of their area.

Siège du ministère de la Culture et des Communications
225, Grande Allée Est
Québec, Québec G1R 5G5
Tel. : 1 888 380-8882
E-mail: http://www.mcc.gouv.qc.ca/ index.php?id=1884

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation
Internet: http://www.cyr.gov.sk.ca/sask_heritage_foundation.html

The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation has established the following five grant programs: Heritage Research, Heritage Conservation, Heritage Promotion and Education, Heritage Publications and Heritage Special Project.

9th Floor, 1919 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3V7
Fax: (306) 787-0069
E-mail: info@cyr.gov.sk.ca

Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society Member Funding Assistance Program
Internet: http://www.shfs.ca/funding.php

Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society, Inc.
1860 Lorne Street
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7
E-mail: shfs.fa@sasktel.net

Yukon

Historic Properties Assistance Contribution Program - Yukon
Internet: http://www.yukonheritage.com/application_forms-hpac.htm

The objective of this program is to preserve the Yukon's built heritage by making technical and financial assistance available to those who wish to undertake preservation, restoration, development and/or interpretation of their historic properties.

Heritage Branch Department of Tourism
P.O. Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
Tel: (867) 667-3463
Fax: (867) 667-8023
E-mail: Bruce.Barrett@gov.yk.ca

Bamberger, Richard. Establishing a plaque program: bringing local history to the community.
Erie Landmark Company.
Internet: http://erielandmark.com/program.html

Harper, Lynette. "Building for success: collaborating with our communities." Muse, v. 14(2), 1996, pp. 22-25.

Heritage: The magazine of the Heritage Canada Foundation.
Internet: http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/mag.html

Heritage conservation: a community guide. British Columbia . Heritage Branch, Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, 1995
Internet: http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/heritage_branch/
heritage_conservation/int.htm

Heritage planning: a guide for local government. British Columbia. Heritage Conservation Branch Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, 1992
Internet: http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/heritage_branch/
heritage_planning_guide/hpindex.htm

"A heritage project in Cardinal: the renewal of Chapelle St. Therese." Manitoba History (20), 1990, pp. 23-24.

"Heritage project protects railway history and supports strong local arts community." Northern Ontario Business, v. 20(7) May 2000, pg. Insert 3.

Historic places and Aboriginal People: a discussion document. Canadian Heritage, 2003
Internet: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/
ieh-hpi/pubs/0-662-66980-0/index_e.cfm

Jenish, D’Arcy. "What is old is new again: heritage projects are breathing new life into old towns and cities". Forum: Canada’s national municipal affairs magazine. November/December 2002, pp. 16-21.

"Re-inventing history: association with a heritage project can evoke an image of stability, success and longevity." Building, v. 42(8) October/November, 1992, pp. 38-39.

Towards a new act: protecting Canada’s historic places. Canadian Heritage, 2003.
Internet: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/ieh-hpi/pubs/
0-662-66831-6/index_e.cfm

Weiler, John. New life for rural regions: taking a heritage approach. Ottawa: Heritage Canada, 1995.

"Your Old House" brochures. Heritage Society of British Columbia.
Internet: http://www.heritagebc.ca/yoh.htm

Canadian Cultural Events Calendar - Canadian Heritage
Internet: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/index_e.cfm

Culture Canada
Internet: http://www.culturecanada.gc.ca/index_e.cfm

CultureCanada.gc.ca is the Government of Canada's one-stop Web access to government resources on the subjects of Culture, Heritage and Recreation.

Heritage Day - Heritage Canada Foundation
Internet: http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/h_day.html

Heritage Day is an opportunity to celebrate the architectural heritage and historic places of Canada. The Heritage Canada Foundation promotes the third Monday in February each year as Heritage Day.

Historic Sites Inventory - Yukon Department of Tourism and Culture
Internet: http://www.yukonheritage.com/programs-historicsites.htm

National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials Project - National Defence
Internet: http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/dhh/memorial/ engraph/home_e.asp?cat=2

The Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) and the Organization of Military Museum of Canada (OMMC) joined forces to research, record and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all military memorials found across Canada.

Ontario Heritage Properties Database - Ontario Ministry of Culture
Internet: http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/culdiv/
heritage/hpd.htm

A searchable database containing information on over 5,000 heritage properties in Ontario.

Our roots: Canada’s local histories online
Internet: http://www.ourroots.ca/e/

Our Roots provides access to unique materials concerning the cultural and social heritage of Canada. Written by Canadians for Canadians, these local histories represent this nation’s history from the perspective of those who helped shape it.

ICOMOS Canada
Internet: http://canada.icomos.org/

ICOMOS Canada is the Canadian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites. ICOMOS is an international non-governmental organization of professionals, dedicated to the conservation of the world's historic monuments and sites.

International Council on Monuments and Sites
P.O. Box 737, Station B
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5P8
Tel. (613) 749-0971
Fax. (613) 749-2071
E-mail: canada@icomos.org

UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Internet: http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm

Secretariat to administer the World Heritage Convention.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP France
Tel : +33 (0)1 45 68 18 89
Fax : +33 (0)1 45 68 55 70
E-mail: wh-info@unesco.org

World Heritage Canadian Tentative List - Parks Canada
Internet: http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/spm-whs/index_e.asp

Canada’s current Tentative List of nominees for World Heritage designation is more than 20 years old. Updating this list provides an opportunity for the Government of Canada to propose sites of outstanding universal value that meet stringent international criteria and enjoy widespread support.

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For more information, contact: The Canadian Rural Information Service (CRIS) Tower 7, 6th floor 1341 Baseline Road Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0C5 Toll free: 1-888-757-8725 Fax: 1-800-884-9899 E-mail: cris@agr.gc.ca