Bois Blanc Lighthouse and Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada © Parks Canada Links
Let us help you connect to some helpful online resources!
Parks Canada
Canadian Register of Historic Places
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
National Historic Sites of Canada – Lighthouses managed by Parks Canada
National Historic Sites of Canada – Lighthouses
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act Implementation
Department of Justice Canada
Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Directory of Federal Real Property
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Questions? We have answers.
Q 1: What is the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act?
The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act is a law designed to protect lighthouses owned by the federal government that have significant heritage value. The Act protects the heritage character of designated lighthouses and requires that they be reasonably maintained. Subject to certain conditions, heritage lighthouses may be sold or transferred to other levels of government, to not-for-profit community organizations, or to individuals in order to promote new uses and to ensure their long-term protection.
Q 2: How can I nominate a lighthouse for heritage designation?
A public petition process has been established to enable residents of Canada to nominate lighthouses that are important to them for designation. The petition process runs for two years, from 29 May 2010 to 29 May 2012. Petitions must specify which lighthouse is being nominated and be signed by at least 25 residents of Canada who are 18 years of age or older.
Any lighthouse in Canada that is owned by the federal government can be nominated for designation under the Act.
A nomination package is available for download on our Petition Process page. The package includes basic instructions on how to complete and submit a valid petition. The package includes a simple petition template that can be used to nominate a lighthouse for designation and also includes a form to provide contact information for the person or organization submitting the nomination on behalf of the petitioners.
If you are submitting a petition, please keep a copy for your records and send the original to the Heritage Lighthouse Program office:
Heritage Lighthouse Program
Parks Canada
25 Eddy Street (25-5-P)
Gatineau, QC K1A 0M5
Q 3: How are heritage lighthouses designated?
The Minister responsible for Parks Canada (the Minister of the Environment) may designate a lighthouse as a heritage lighthouse. In deciding whether or not to designate, the Minister must take into account the heritage designation criteria adopted for the purposes of the Act and must consider the advice of an advisory committee that advises and assists on matters relating to heritage lighthouses. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada acts as the Minister’s advisory committee for all matters relating to heritage lighthouses, including their designation.
More detailed information on the designation process can be found on our Evaluation & Designation page.
Q 4: What are the heritage designation criteria?
The heritage designation criteria are designed to identify and articulate the historical, architectural and community values of Canadian lighthouses. A lighthouse that is found to have sufficient heritage value may be designated as a “heritage lighthouse”. Related buildings, such as a keeper’s residence or fog alarm building, may be included in a designation if they contribute to the lighthouse’s heritage character.
The designation criteria are posted on our Evaluation & Designation page.
Q 5: What is a “surplus” lighthouse? Can a surplus lighthouse be designated?
A surplus lighthouse is one that is surplus to federal operational requirements. It may or may not contain an active aid to navigation. Under the Act, a surplus lighthouse that meets the heritage designation criteria may be designated if a person or body submits a written commitment to buy or otherwise acquire the lighthouse and protect its heritage character. The written commitment does not need to accompany a petition, but will be required in order for the lighthouse to be designated.
The Act requires that all federal Ministers who administer lighthouses maintain and make accessible to the public during the two-year petitioning period (29 May 2010 – 29 May 2012) a list of all lighthouses that are surplus to operational requirements. None of Parks Canada’s lighthouses are surplus to operational requirements. Please consult with Fisheries and Oceans Canada for information on surplus lighthouses under its administration.
Q 6: If I sign a petition for the designation of a surplus lighthouse, am I obligated to acquire the lighthouse?
No. A petition is only to nominate a lighthouse to be considered for designation as a heritage lighthouse. A petition’s signatories may be but do not need to be part of a body that intends to buy or otherwise acquire the lighthouse and protect its heritage character.
Q 7: What are the ongoing responsibilities for a group after taking ownership of a heritage lighthouse?
New owners will be required to respect the heritage character of the heritage lighthouse and of any related buildings that are included in the designation.
The Act requires that any sale or transfer of a heritage lighthouse provide for the protection of its heritage character. There are a variety of legal tools to achieve this and the type of protection will vary depending upon the location of the lighthouse. All non-federal owners of heritage lighthouses will be encouraged to adopt the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada to guide their conservation efforts.
Q 8: What are Heritage Lighthouse Program’s key dates?
The Act came into force on 29 May 2010 and the two-year petitioning period began. The two-year petitioning period ends on 29 May 2012. All petitions must have been evaluated and any resulting designation made by the Minister by 29 May 2015. Results of the program must be published in the Canada Gazette by 27 August 2015.
Q 9: What if I have a question not listed here?
You are welcome to contact the Heritage Lighthouse Program office for any questions you may have.