YORK FACTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA ...

4. The Management Plan
This plan consists of goals, objectives, directions and key actions of how Parks
Canada and its partners will achieve the vision for York Factory NHSC. Goals
express what is most important in the management of any national historic site
administered by Parks Canada (refer to Parks Canada Guiding Principles and
Operational Policies and Parks Canada Agency Corporate Plan 2005- 2010). Objectives
are specific, measurable outcomes toward achieving the Agency’s goals and the
site’s vision. The directions express how the objectives will be achieved. The key
actions are important to plan implementation, and are a means to assess progress in
the coming years towards achieving the site vision.
4.1 Heritage Conservation
This section outlines Parks Canada’s commitment to respect, maintain and conserve
the cultural resources and heritage values of York Factory NHSC. It is a set of
responses to the significant, interrelated risks and vulnerabilities threatening York
Factory’s commemorative integrity. This plan sets out as its first priority the
protection of cultural resources from environmental threats, beginning with
research and monitoring of the threats, and feasibility studies of riverbank
stabilization and other mitigation measures. Letting the site erode, and to record
and salvage cultural resources as they disappear, is the last possible alternative
being considered for the management of York Factory NHSC.
Goal for Heritage Conservation
Commemorative integrity is maintained or improved, i.e.:
• York Factory NHSC and the cultural resources of national historic
importance (i.e., Level 1 cultural resources) 4 are not impaired or under
threat; and
• the heritage values (including those not related to the reasons for
designation as a national historic site – i.e., Level 2 cultural resources) 5 are
respected in all decisions and actions affecting the site.
Conserving Heritage Resources – Benefit to Canadians
“Parks Canada protects nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural
heritage so that citizens of today and tomorrow can experience and be inspired by the special
places and rich stories of our nation’s past. Ecological and commemorative integrity are
guiding management principles for national parks and national historic sites, and
environmental sustainability is key to national marine conservation areas. These when
achieved, ensure that Canada’s national treasures are conserved for present and future
generations.” (Parks Canada Agency Corporate Plan 2005 – 2010)
4 A Level 1 cultural resource is any resource directly related to the reason(s) for site designation.
5 A level 2 cultural resource is any resource not related to the reason(s) for site designation, but
has heritage value by virtue of other historical, aesthetic, scientific or environmental qualities. Parks
Canada values most highly those cultural resources of national historic significance, i.e., Level 1, but
Level 2 cultural resources must also be respected and managed for their heritage values.
York Factory NHSC Management Plan Page 22