What is the Canadian Register of Historic Places?

The Canadian Register of Historic Places provides on-line access to listings of formally recognized historic places across the country. Each listing includes photographs and information about the heritage value of the site (that is, the aesthetic, historical, scientific, cultural, social or spiritual importance or significance for past, present, or future generations), summarized in a Statement of Significance.

Listing on the Register does not affect how any government in Manitoba manages its own designation or policies and doesn't impose any new restrictions on designated sites. Owners can choose not to have their property placed on the Register.

Which historic places are eligible for listing on the Register?

All kinds of historic places are equally eligible for inclusion on the Canadian Register - everything from modest, local properties to grand, highly visible tourist attractions.

To be listed by Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage on the Register, the places must meet each of the following criteria:

  1. They must meet the definition of historic place, which is: a structure, building, group of buildings, district, landscape, archaeological site or other place in Canada that has been formally recognized for its heritage value. In Manitoba, this means that sites must be officially designated by a level of government as a heritage site.

  2. The required documentation describing the site must be provided

  3. The specific location must be able to be shared with the public

How are Manitoba historic places being nominated to the Register?

All sites legally designated as historic by the Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, or other municipal governments are eligible for listing on the Register. Owners of these sites will automatically be contacted by a heritage consultant to prepare the required documentation. Sites designated by the federal government are also eligible for listing on the Register, and documentation for these sites is being prepared by federal officials.

These heritage consultants, working for the Province of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg or the City of Brandon, will produce a Statement of Significance for each site, describing in detail why the site is important and what physical qualities contribute to its heritage value. These consultants will also take high quality photographs which will accompany the Statement.

After documentation for eligible sites is completed, Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage is responsible for nominating them to the Canadian Register of Historic Places.