Key Takeaways
- The Canadian Register of Historic Places website is set to be deactivated by Parks Canada due to technological obsolescence and security vulnerabilities.
- The website contains approximately 13,500 listings of historic places recognized by federal, provincial, territorial, and local governments.
- The deactivation of the website has caused concern among heritage circles, particularly in Nova Scotia, where the province does not maintain its own public online heritage database.
- Efforts are underway to preserve the data and make it accessible to the public, including a scramble to download listings and images from the site.
- A replacement website is planned, but it will only include federally registered properties, which are a minority of the listings on the old site.
Introduction to the Canadian Register of Historic Places
The Canadian Register of Historic Places is a national searchable database of historic places recognized by federal, provincial, territorial, and local governments. Launched in 2004, the register contains approximately 13,500 listings of historic places that shape Canada’s history and represent the diverse character of the country. The website has been an invaluable resource for various individuals, including genealogists, realtors, architects, engineers, heritage professionals, and students. However, due to technological obsolescence and security vulnerabilities, Parks Canada has announced that the website will be deactivated this spring, causing alarm among heritage circles across the country.
Concerns and Implications
The planned deactivation of the website has significant implications, particularly in Nova Scotia, where the province does not maintain its own public online heritage database. Emma Lang, executive director of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, has expressed concern about the loss of this valuable resource, stating that its importance is "incalculable." The website’s uniqueness lies in its ability to gather federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal designations in one location, making it an essential tool for researchers. Without the site, researchers will have to consult multiple sources to obtain the same information, which will be time-consuming and inefficient.
Preservation Efforts
In response to the closure, a scramble is underway to preserve the data and make it accessible to the public. The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is working with the province to save all Nova Scotia records from the site, including images and text. The National Trust for Canada has also written to ministers, asking them to ensure that comprehensive information about Canada’s historic places remains accessible to the public. Additionally, downloads of listings are being provided to jurisdictions, although these do not include images. The National Trust for Canada has stated that it is working to find a solution to preserve the data and make it available to the public.
Replacement Website and Future Plans
Parks Canada has announced that a replacement website will be launched, but it will only include federally registered properties, which are a minority of the listings on the old site. This has raised concerns among heritage professionals, who argue that the new website will not provide the same level of information and accessibility as the current site. The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is working to create a mechanism for public access to the preserved data, which is expected to be available in the coming months. The Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage has also stated that it is exploring opportunities to showcase the province’s heritage sites online.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The deactivation of the Canadian Register of Historic Places website is a significant loss for Canada’s heritage community. While efforts are underway to preserve the data and make it accessible to the public, it is essential that a comprehensive solution is found to ensure that the information remains available to the public. The new website should include all listings, not just federally registered properties, and should be designed with accessibility and user-friendliness in mind. Furthermore, the government should consider investing in the development of a new, modern website that can provide a comprehensive and accessible database of Canada’s historic places. By doing so, Canada can ensure that its rich history and cultural heritage are preserved and made available to future generations.