Ottawa, Ontario, February 25, 2011--The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, launched today two important conservation tools to better care for Canada's historic places: the improved Canadian Register of Historic Places; and the second edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
"Our Government is proud of the leadership role we play in the protection of Canada's historic places," said Minister Kent. "The excellent collaboration between Parks Canada and its provincial and territorial partners has enabled us to create these two important tools which will provide citizens with a new source of vital information about historic places in Canada."
These two tools are hosted on the Canada's Historic Places web site (www.historicplaces.ca) and administered by Parks Canada. The improved features of the web site provide additional content to enable Canadians to learn about, value, enjoy and conserve the country's historic places.
Canada's Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments recognize the contribution that historic places make to our communities. For over a decade these governments have worked together to jointly develop and improve two core heritage conservation tools:
1) The Canadian Register of Historic Places lists over 12,300 historic places recognized for their heritage value at the local, provincial, territorial and national levels throughout Canada, providing an easily accessible and searchable online resource of information about these important places.
2) The second edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada provides a common benchmark to guide the conservation of historic places in communities across the country.
As a one-stop shop, Canada's Historic Places web site offers information about historic places, conservation standards and guidelines, official recognition and support programs, and other conservation-related information. The web site also encourages Canadians to engage with their historic places and share their stories by connecting through social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
"Canada's historic places are a living legacy for all Canadians," added Minister Kent. "Ensuring a future for these treasures will allow the next generations to enjoy and appreciate these exceptional Canadian places. The revised edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada constitutes an essential tool to guide conservation decisions that will give historic places new life, while protecting their heritage value. "
Parks Canada works to ensure Canada's historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room. For more information on these two tools, please visit www.historicplaces.ca.
Information:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-994-3023
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
Launch of Improved Tools to Conserve Canada's Historic Places
