Ontario's Natural Heritage Areas - Ministry of Natural Resources

5.3 National Historic Sites
Introduction
National Historic Sites represent a range of places
that commemorate persons and events that
have profound importance to Canadians. These
sites represent human creativity, cultural tradition, or
are the location of a defining moment in Canada’s
history (Parks Canada, 2007c). Since the program was
inititiated in the early 20th Century, National Historic
Sites have been established in a variety of settings
in urban, rural or wild places, and reflect Canada’s
evolving history and heritage. Of 924 National Historic
Sites managed and/or monitored by Parks Canada,
257 sites are located in Ontario (Box 5-2) (Parks
Canada, 2005).
Legislation and Policy Basis
National Historic Sites are established under authority
of the Historic Sites and Monuments Act and the
National Parks Act. Related policies include the
National Historic Sites Policy, Cultural Resource
Management Policy, Historic Canada Policy, and the
Federal Waterway Policy (see Parks Canada, 1994).
Box 5-2. National Historic Sites in Ontario.
Included in the National Historic Site designations in
Ontario are three Historic Canals – the Rideau Canal,
Trent-Severn Waterway, and the Sault Ste. Marie
Canal. These canals are managed with the objective of
fostering appreciation, enjoyment, and understanding of
Canada’s Historic Canals (Parks Canada, 1994).
Protection Goal and/or Objectives
The objectives of the National Historic Sites program
are to:
• Foster knowledge and appreciation of Canada’s
past through a national program of historical
commemoration.
• Ensure the commemorative integrity of National
Historic Sites by protecting and presenting them
for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of
Ontario’s Natural Heritage Areas 126
current and future generations in a manner that
respects the significant and irreplaceable legacy
represented by these places and their associated
resources.
• Encourage and support the protection by others
of places of national historic significance that are
not administered by Parks Canada (Parks Canada,
1994b:71).
Selection Criteria
To be designated as a National Historic Site one of
the following criteria must be met. The site must:
• Exemplify an outstanding creative achievement in
concept and design, technology, or planning of
a significant stage in the development of Canada.
• Exemplify or symbolize, in whole or in part, a
cultural tradition, a way of life, or ideas critical to
the development of Canada.
• Be explicitly and meaningfully connected or
identified with people who are regarded to be of
national historic significance.
• Be explicitly and meaningfully connected or
identified with events that are regarded to be
of national historic significance (Parks Canada,
2000).
Management Objectives and/or Guidelines
National Historic Sites include:
• National Historic Sites administered by Parks
Canada.
• National Historic Sites owned by others.
• National Historic Sites owned by others and costshared
under the Historic Sites and Monuments
Act (Parks Canada, 1996).
The cultural and natural assets of these sites are
managed to protect and present the legacy they
represent. As is the case for National Parks, Parks
Canada uses a management planning process to
ensure sustainable use of cultural and natural assets.
Each plan directs long-term development and
operation of the National Historic Site (Parks Canada,
1994).