Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office

Federal Heritage Buildings under the new Policy on Management of Real Property

On November 1 st , 2006, The Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy was rescinded as part of the Treasury Board Review of their management policies and its requirements incorporated within the new Policy for Management of Real Property. This fact sheet describes Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) processes under the new policy.

Policy Objective

One of the objectives of the Policy on Management of Real Property is to ensure that the heritage character of federal buildings is respected and conserved throughout their life cycles.

Application

The Policy on Management of Real Property applies to all departments within the meaning of section 2 of the Financial Administration Act , unless specific acts or regulations override it.

Policy Requirements

1. Evaluation

Under the Policy on Management of Real Property, departments are responsible for working with FHBRO to ensure that all the buildings they administer, or intend to acquire, that are 40 years of age or older, are evaluated to determine their level of designation (Classified, Recognized or Not Designated) and heritage character. Departments are encouraged to work with FHBRO to develop guidelines and annual plans that will help prioritize their submissions for evaluation.

2. Alterations

Departments continue to be responsible for all decisions affecting the heritage character of the federal heritage buildings they administer. They are required to consult with FHBRO before undertaking any action that could affect the heritage character of a Classified building and seek appropriate conservation advice before undertaking any action that could affect the heritage character of a Recognized building.

3. Disposals

The Policy on Management of Real Property continues to require that departments consult with FHBRO on heritage conservation measures before demolishing, dismantling or selling a Recognized or Classified building. Departments must also make ‘best efforts’ to arrange for appropriate alternative uses for designated buildings, first within the federal government and then outside the federal government. Additional recommendations are available under the new Directive on the Sale or Transfer of Surplus Real Property at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/dcgpubs/aas-gasa/dstsrp-dvtbie/dstsrp-dvtbie_e.asp .

Responsibilities

Parks Canada continues to be responsiblefor establishing national goals for the protection of Federal Heritage Buildings and National Historic Sites, and developing policies, standards and guidelines in consultation with other departments. Through FHBRO, it provides criteria and a process for evaluating and designating heritage buildings, provides advice and recommendations to other departments, and maintains a Register of Federal Heritage Buildings.

The Minister responsible for Parks Canada is responsible for approving the designation of Federal Heritage Buildings, based on the recommendations of an interdepartmental advisory board (the Federal Heritage Buildings Committee).

The new Policy on Management of Real Property is available at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/dcgpubs/aas-gasa/pmrp-pgbi/pmrp-pgbi_e.asp . Another useful link, which provides additional information and guidance on the application of the new policy to the management of Federal Heritage Buildings, is the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Managers Handbook: Management of Real Property . This will be available at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpm-gbi/gmrp-ggbi/gmrp-ggbi_e.asp .