Legislative Summary of Federal Bill C-23 - Historic Places of Canada Act

The Library of Parliament has published its Legislative Summary of Bill C-23, known by the short title of Historic Places of Canada Act:

"Many of Canada’s historic places are disappearing or under threat. Bill C‑23 strengthens and expands the protection and designation of federally owned historic sites in Canada. Bill C‑23 enacts the Historic Places of Canada Act (HPCA), which replaces the Historic Sites and Monuments Act (HSMA) – the Act currently providing for the protection of historic sites. The HPCA is under the authority of Parks Canada, and the minister responsible for that agency is the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. A significant portion of Bill C‑23 is dedicated to codifying conventional protections and programs. Bill C‑23 also provides enforcement mechanisms and penalties. Fines under the HPCA are collected in a fund dedicated to heritage conservation. Bill C‑23 also aims to support further reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada by implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 79(i)."

Progress of the bill through the Houses of Parliament can be followed on the LEGISinfo website.