The Ontario Heritage Act came into force in 1975. Its purpose is to give municipalities and the provincial government powers to preserve the heritage of Ontario. The primary focus of the Act is the protection of heritage buildings and archaeological sites. The legislation also mandates the Ontario Heritage Trust, a Crown agency, and the Conservation Review Board, a tribunal that hears objections to municipal and provincial decisions under the Act.

In 2005, the Government of Ontario passed comprehensive amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act to strengthen and improve heritage protection in Ontario.

The Ministry of Culture had previously made changes to the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Government Efficiency Act, which came into force on November 26, 2002. These amendments were made to clarify, update and streamline provisions in the Act related to archaeology and built heritage protection . Please note that some of these changes were modified by the 2005 amendments noted above.

A copy of the Act may be purchased from:
Publications Ontario
50 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N8
Tel: (416) 326-5300

Ontario Heritage Act Amendments

For the first time since the Ontario Heritage Act was introduced in 1975, the government has made comprehensive amendments to bring Ontario's heritage legislation in line with leading jurisdictions in Canada and around the world.

The amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act:

• Give the province and municipalities new powers not only to delay but to stop demolition of heritage sites. Enhanced demolition controls would be balanced with an appeals process to respect the rights of property owners.
   
• Further expand the province's ability to identify and designate sites of provincial heritage significance.
   
• Provide clear standards and guidelines for the preservation of provincial heritage properties.
   
• Enhance protection of heritage conservation districts, marine heritage sites and archaeological resources.

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If you have questions or comments about changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, please call or write:

Dan Schneider, Senior Policy Advisor
Heritage and Libraries Branch
(416) 314-7165
E-mail: dan.schneider@ontario.ca