The Heritage Properties and Museums Programs Unit encourages and supports the efforts of major provincial heritage organizations, community museums and local historical societies to protect and develop Ontario's unique heritage resources. This is accomplished by providing specialized advisory services and financial support for these organizations.

Foreign Cultural Objects Immunity from Seizure Act (FCOISA) in 1978

Museums, art galleries and other cultural or educational institutions in Ontario on occasion organize temporary exhibitions that include international works of art or other cultural objects. These exhibitions give Ontarians the opportunity to see works that offer unique cultural and learning experiences. Examples include the 2004-05 Turner, Whistler, Monet exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the 2004-05 Pearls: A Natural History exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum.

When Ontario institutions borrow these objects, they may wish, or they may be asked by the foreign owners or foreign custodians of the objects (such as international museums and art galleries), to ensure that the borrowed objects are not seized by court order by others claiming to own the works.

• Application Guidelines for Determination under the Foreign Cultural Objects Immunity From Seizure Act (FCOISA)
• Application for Determination under the Foreign Cultural Objects Immunity From Seizure Act
• Appendix A: Statutory Declaration in the matter of the Foreign Cultural Objects Immunity From Seizure Act