This bill will limit the…

This bill will limit the ability of Municipal Heritage Committees to plan appropriately, and it will put pressure on already overworked municipal staff and volunteers to protect local heritage properties.

It is completely unrealistic to force municipalities to designate all listed properties within two years or drop them from the Register. This will result in thousands of listed sites losing any protection they now have. Furthermore, it will force property owners choose between listing and designation if they want to recognize the heritage significance of their property.

The proposed changes to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Provincial Heritage Properties leave provincially owned landmarks vulnerable to the whims of politicians and developers.

It is widely recognized by architects, conservationists and planners that re-use and adaptation of existing older buildings is the quickest and most economical way to create more housing. As examples of this we can cite the conversion of old schools to affordable apartments or homes for seniors. Fixing and re-use of older neighbourhoods that are already serviced and connected by transit are the most affordable and economical housing alternatives. 

Destruction of heritage sites and older buildings results in loss of jobs in the renovation and tourism industries, and loss of our sense of place. Furthermore, it releases embodied carbon into the environment and thereby contributes to climate change.