Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
1. General Information
Background
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada grew out of the interplay of disparate elements of public opinion concerned with heritage preservation and government policy before the First World War. A growing heritage movement encouraged the government to preserve and develop sites with important historical associations. At the same time, the government was looking to extend its national parks system from the west into the east and the idea of creating historic parks around significant historic structures was conceived. The War delayed the introduction of a government program to identify and preserve Canadian heritage; however, in 1919, James B. Harkin, the Commissioner of Dominion Parks, suggested that "An Advisory Board for Historic Site Preservation" be established, and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was born.
The Board was given a statutory base for its operations through the Historic Sites and Monuments Act of 1953.
Responsibilities
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has the statutory responsibility to advise the Minister of the Environment and, through him or her, Parks Canada on the commemoration of nationally significant aspects of Canada’s past, including the designation of national historic sites, persons and events.
The Board also advises the Minister on the designation of heritage railway stations and other matters relating to the implementation of the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act. The Board also serves as the advisory committee to the Minister for the implementation of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
Normally, the Board meets in plenary two times a year to consider submissions from the general public, heritage organizations, provincial and municipal governments, and others regarding matters of possible national significance. The various committees which it has established to expedite its work, such as the Cultural Communities Committee, the Built Environment Committee, the Status of Designations Committee, the Inscriptions Committee, the Persons Committee, the Events Committee and the Lighthouse Committee meet as required.
2. Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities
At full strength the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has 16 members: one member from each province and territory. The Librarian and Archivist of Canada and a representative of the Canadian Museum of Civilization also sit on the Board. The Director General of Parks Canada’s National Historic Sites Directorate is the Secretary to the Board.
Provincial and territorial members of the Board are appointed by Order in Council (normally for three or five years). They must be resident in the province or territory that they represent, serve on a part-time basis, and are eligible for reappointment. The Chairperson is appointed by the Governor-in-Council from among the members of the Board.
Located in Gatineau, Quebec, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Secretariat, provides administrative support to the Board.
Information Holdings
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Minutes
Description: Information relating to the deliberations and the activities of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Document Types: Board Minutes - the record of the Board’s deliberations and those of its Committees since its inception; Board policies, criteria and operational guidelines; research papers and studies - prepared to assist the Board in its deliberations; narrative agendas; heritage railway station reports, heritage character statements for heritage railway stations; plaque inscriptions; correspondence relating to current Board submissions; correspondence relating to Board meetings and agendas and general correspondence.
Record Number: Record Number: HSM HS
Internal Services
Acquisitions
Acquisition Services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfil a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.
Financial Management
Financial Management Services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.
Information Technology
Information Technology Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.
Management And Oversight Services
Management and Oversight Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.
Materiel
Materiel Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.
Travel And Other Administrative Services
Travel and Other Administrative Services include Government of Canada (GC) travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.
Manuals
- Plaque Manual
3. Additional Information
Please see the Introduction to this publication for information on access procedures under the provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
For additional information about the programs and activities of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, please contact:
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Secretariat
30 Victoria Street
3rd floor, (P3-03-M)
Gatineau, QC J8X 0B3
Telephone: 1-855-283-8730
Facsimile: 819-420-9260
E-mail: hsmbc-clmhc@pc.gc.ca
Internet: www.parkscanada.ca
Reading Room
In accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, an area on the premises will be made available should the applicant wish to review materials on site. The address is:
Parks Canada
Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate
30 Victoria St
3rd Floor
Gatineau QC J8X 0B3
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