HERITAGE OTTAWA 

A public consultation in January will invite Canadians to share their views on how Parks Canada should work to protect national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas for the next 50 years.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced that Parks Canada will hold public consulations from January 9 to January 27, 2017. The consultations will include both face-to-face events and virtual engagement to ensure that all Canadians have an opportunity to provide their input.

Parks Canada will release a report later this month entitled The State of Canada's Natural and Historic Places, which covers the period 2011 to 2016, to help inform citizens in advance of the discussions.

"I want to hear from everyone on how these places can be enjoyed by more Canadians and how we can continue to protect them for future generations" said Minister McKenna.

Parks Canada is responsible for the commemoration of National Historic Sites, and is responsible for federally-owned heritage properties designated by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO).

Ottawa has its fair share of federally-recognized places. Our national historic sites include the Parliament Buildings, the Chateau Laurier, Confederation Square, Earnscliffe, the Diefenbunker, the Langevin Block and the Central Experimental Farm, to name just a few.

What many Canadians don't realize is that unlike provincial designations, federal heritage designations are essentially honorific and carry no protection. Heritage Ottawa feels strongly that this must change.

The proposed addition to the Chateau Laurier has sparked a widespread public outcry, demonstrating not only how Canadians care about our iconic heritage places, but how protection is critical if our federally-designated heriage properties are to retain their heritage character for future generations.

Heritge Ottawa is calling on Minister McKenna to implement protection for national historic sites and federally-owned heritage properties, and looks forward to participating in the upcoming Parks Canada consultations with this goal in mind.

Implementing long-overdue protection for Canada's national historic sites and federally-recognized heritage places would be an excellent way to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.

Heritage Ottawa applauds Minister McKenna for opening the discussion on Parks Canada to all Canadians, and looks forward to playing an active role in the forthcoming consultations.

We encourage everyone to get informed and to have their say in January!

For more information, visit the Let's Talk Parks, Canada! website.

Did you know that admission to Canada's National Parks, Historic Sites and Marine Conservation Areas is free throughout 2017? Click here to order your free Discovery Pass on the Parks Canada website.