Asian Heritage Portal

What is a national designation?

The Main National Historic Site of Canada, Montreal.
© Parks Canada/A. Guindon

National historic sites, persons and events are designated by the Minister of the Environment. These designations celebrate and help preserve the great diversity of Canada's history.

In this fast changing world, Canada's National Historic Sites, Persons and Events link us to our past, enhance our understanding of the present and show us the great possibilities for the future.

They help to form common bonds among us and bring our national story to life so that it may be told for generations to come.

To date, over 930 sites, 600 persons and 380 events have been designated.

To learn how National Historic Sites, Persons or Events are designated, visit the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

To learn how these designations are organized, read the National Historic Sites of Canada System Plan.

This thematic framework illustrates the five themes and sub-themes into which designations are organized.

To learn how you can participate:

Parks Canada has made it a priority to commemorate sites, persons and events associated with ethnocultural communities other than the French and British, which are well represented at present. Currently, about 65 sites, persons and events of national historic significance portray identifiable aspects of Canada's cultural diversity.

Is there a site, a person or an event connected to your Canadian experience that relates to the underrepresented areas of our history?

Is the subject an important part of our Canadian experience and does it speak to all Canadians?

Does it contribute to a national understanding of the country's past?

Help us tell the whole Canadian story!

If you have an idea or would like more information on the system of National Historic Sites of Canada, please contact:

The Executive Secretary
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
25 Eddy Street
5th floor
Gatineau Quebec
Canada K1A 0M5
Email: hsmbc-clmhc@pc.gc.ca
www.pc.gc.ca/hsmbc