LET'S SAVE THE CANADIAN REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

HERITAGE OTTAWA

The Canadian Register of Historic Places (historic places.ca) -- the only national publicly accessible database of recognized historic places -- is being dismantled. 

In late 2025, Parks Canada announced that is would cease to support the Register. Launched in 2004 as a joint federal, provincial and territorial initiative, it now houses information on over 13,000 designated properties across the country on a searchable database. 

Why it matters

The Register provides solidly researched information on heritage properties and acts as a reliable foundation for good decision-making in the management of historic places and the development of the built environment. It is an essential planning tool relied upon by a range of professional researchers, planners, and educators. 

Losing the Register would fragment a nationally significant database, eliminate public access and search functionality. Unplugging what has become a foundation for Canadian identity it will result in the erosion of trust through unofficial and AI generated replicas. 

What you can do... SIGN THE PETITION

With modern technology, sustainable funding, and the National Trust for Canada's leadership and oversight, the Register could continue to function into the future. 

The petition calls upon the federal government to transfer stewardship of the Register to the National Trust for Canada and provide a one-time endowment to permanently stabilize and modernize it. 

Let the federal government know that this critically important Canadian resource must be maintained by SIGNING THE PARLIAMENTARY PETITION. The petition closes on August 26, 2026!