Policy on the Management of Cultural Resources, Archaeological Sites, Heritage Lighthouses, and World Heritage Sites

The Policy on the Management of Cultural Resources, Archaeological Sites, Heritage Lighthouses, and World Heritage Sites outlines the principles, expected results, and accountabilities for managing the wide range of cultural heritage administered by and under the care of Parks Canada.

The policy is also available in these languages:

Policy in Denesųłı̨ne

Yatı bet’a hoghedı́ xa on the Dene nı̨ hots’ı̨ ɂası hoghedı́, Denenı̨zaze k’e hoɂą, Dok’ąne kuę tąmbąghe hola tha hots’ı̨, chu Horelyų nı̨h k’e...

Policy in Nishnaabemwin

Kitchi Naawknigewin nji Minzhaanding Aadzoowin Enkaazang, Moona’iganan Te’gin, Gete Nbiing Kin’waaj’chiganan miinwaa Mzoo’we Akiing Ge’te Wiig’waam’an...

Policy in Innu Aimun

Takuaietsheunna tshe ishi tshitapatakanit innu-aitun kie innu-tshissenitamunna,anite ka natuapatshanunnit, uashashkuteutshuapa kie anite ka...

Policy in Quttiktuqmiut (South)

ᐊᑐᐊᒐᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔾᔪᑎᑦ ᐱᐅᓯᑐᖃᖃᕐᕕᖕᓄᑦ, ᐃᑦᓴᕐᓂᑕᖃᕐᕕᓕᑦ ᐃᓂᖏᑦ, ᐱᖁᑎᑐᖃᑦ ᓇᓂᕈᐊᓕᒃ ᐃᒡᓗᑦ ᑕᒻᒪᕇᒃᑯᑎᖏᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓯᓚᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐱᖁᑎᑐᖃᑦ ᐃᓕᖏᑦ ᐊᑐᐊᒐᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔾᔪᑎᑦ ᐱᐅᓯᑐᖃᖃᕐᕕᖕᓂᑦ, ᐃᑦᓴᕐᓂᑕᖃᕐᕕᖕᓂᒃ, ᐱᖁᑎᑐᖃᕐᓂᒃ

Policy in Sallirmiutun

Pitquyaq Paluktainaq Pitqusiit Sanayuat, Inuum nivaktuaq nunami, Pitqusiit isuma Qaumaniqiglu, suli Nunalika Inuum nivaktuaq Nunami

Policy in Inuktitut Kivalliq

ᐊᑐᐊᒐᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᖃᖓᓂᑕᓂᑦ ᐱᕝᕕᐅᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᑦ, ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᑕᖃᕐᕖᑦ, ᑕᐃᑉᓱᒪᓂᑐᖃᖅ ᐅᖓᓯᒃᑐᒥᑦ ᑕᑯᔭᐅᔪᖕᓇᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐃᑭᑦᑕᖅᑐᐃᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥᑦ ᑕᐃᑉᓱᒪᓂᑐᖃᖅ ᐃᓂᐅᔪᓂᑦ

Policy in Labrador Inuttitut

Maligatsait ilinganiKajumut Aulatsigiamut Ilukkusiliginimmut Piviannatunik, Itsasuanitanut Iningit, Taimangasuanit Ikumalet Illualuit, ammalu Silatsuami...

Policy in Mi’kma’q

Tel-wikasik ta’n na maliaptasik ta’n Tel-lukwemkl Apoqnmuekl, Sa’qewe’l etekl, Sa’qewe’l Wasoqenawekewo’kuo’ml, aqq Wksitqamuk Sa’qewe’l Etekl

Policy in Aen Michif

La koonploon ouschi ooma Paminamoowin di Kee-ishipimawchihounawniwun Wayashtaywina, Li tawn’d kayawsh En plaes, Listwer Nahawpahchikiweekamikwa, pi...

Policy in Quttiktuqmiut (North)

ᐊᑐᐊᒐᖅ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᔾᔪᑎᑦ ᐱᐅᓯᑐᖃᖃᕐᕕᖕᓂᒃ, ᐃᑦᑕᕐᓂᑕᖃᕐᕕᖕᓂᒃ, ᐱᖁᑎᑐᖃᕐᓂᒃ ᐃᑯᒪᔪᑦ ᐃᒃᑕᖁᑎᑦ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᓯᓚᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᐱᖁᑐᑐᖃᖃᕐᕕᑦ

Policy in Paskwâwinîmowin

Kiskinwahikêwin ohci Pimipayihcikêwin kiko Nêhiyawîhcikêwina, Kayâsêskamik Ka-kihtêyihtâkwaniyiki, Kayâs-âyiwan Asawâpiwikamikwa, êkwa Kayâs-âyiwan Askiy...

Policy in Ojibwemowin

Odaake Izhitwaawin Awiiyaa Inaakonigewin, Moona’iganan Akiiwinan, Getenaagwad Gichi-Waazakonenjigan-wigamig, miinawaa Kina’akiiwinan

1. Effective date

This policy is effective as of September 1, 2025.

This policy and its associated instruments replace the Cultural Resource Management Policy found in Part III of the Parks Canada Guiding Principles and Operational Policies.

2. Authorities

This policy is issued pursuant to sections 4 (1) and 12 (3) of the Parks Canada Agency Act.

3. Context

Cultural resources are integral to the understanding, appreciation, use, and enjoyment of heritage places. Values linked with cultural resources can be multifaceted, reflect numerous perspectives and worldviews, and may change over time. Management practices should be adaptable to a wide range of contexts and responsive to change while recognizing the importance of best practices and the need for a coherent approach. This policy provides overall direction for the management of cultural resources ensuring the conservation of their heritage value as well as, in the case of national historic sites, their commemorative integrity. This policy also provides for archaeological sites, heritage lighthouses and World Heritage sites.

The renewal of this policy was initiated primarily in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Call to Action 79(ii). The policy supports measures outlined in the Government of Canada's Action Plan developed in response to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In applying this policy, Parks Canada respects the constitutionally protected rights of Indigenous peoples and upholds rights and responsibilities associated with modern and historic treaties, agreements, and other constructive arrangements, such as protected areas establishment agreements and impact and benefit agreements.

This policy is based on a set of principles that respect the context of each heritage place. Many communities and Indigenous partners have significant and unique connections to the cultural heritage under Parks Canada’s care. To honour these connections, different perspectives and worldviews must inform the management of cultural resources. This policy, with collaboration at its core, offers opportunities to build and strengthen respectful relationships and understanding, leading to effective, sustainable, and culturally appropriate stewardship of cultural heritage.

4. Application

4.1

This policy applies to:

4.1.1

Cultural resources in heritage places administered by Parks Canada and in the collection under the care of Parks Canada including cultural resources that are loaned or leased to third parties.

4.1.2

Archaeological sites on lands administered by Parks Canada.

4.1.3

Heritage Lighthouses administered by Parks Canada.

4.1.4

World Heritage sites, or parts of World Heritage sites, administered by Parks Canada.

4.2

This policy does not apply to:

4.2.1

Human remains, funerary objects, cemeteries, and other burial grounds.

4.3

This policy must be read and applied in conjunction with relevant legislation, regulations and policy instruments including but not limited to those listed in Section 9 below. This policy must also be read and applied in conjunction with all applicable treaties, agreements, and constructive arrangements with Indigenous Peoples.

5. Principles

Parks Canada employees must apply the following principles in the management of cultural resources:

5.1

Collaboration

5.1.1

Work with Indigenous partners in a manner consistent with the Indigenous Stewardship Framework and with communities to ensure that conservation and presentation practices reflect diverse perspectives and knowledge systems.

5.1.2

Collaborate with colleagues to make informed decisions on the management of cultural resources.

5.2

Understanding

5.2.1

Exchange knowledge to generate a better understanding of the heritage value of cultural resources that is informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and is based on a variety of research methods and sources including oral history.

5.2.2

Use this understanding to recognize cultural resources, make culturally appropriate choices, and ensure the sound stewardship of cultural resources.

5.3

Sustainability

5.3.1

Establish conservation expectations based on the heritage value of a cultural resource considering the availability of financial and human resources as well as feasibility.

6. Objective and expected results

6.1

The objective of this policy is to provide direction on the management of cultural resources, archaeological sites, heritage lighthouses and World Heritage sites administered and cared for by Parks Canada.

6.2

The expected results of this policy are as follows:

6.2.1

The heritage value of cultural resources is conserved to honour past generations and for the benefit of present and future generations.

6.2.2

Approaches to the management of cultural resources are place-based and culturally appropriate.

6.2.3

Parks Canada uses models for shared decision-making about cultural resources and archaeological sites to enable and honour Indigenous stewardship in heritage places.

6.2.4

Cultural resource management is effectively integrated into the management of heritage places as well as Parks Canada priorities, programs, and planning.

6.2.5

Archaeological sites on lands administered by Parks Canada are protected from unauthorized disturbance.

6.2.6

The heritage value of Heritage Lighthouses administered by Parks Canada is maintained in accordance with the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.

6.2.7

The Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage sites, or parts of World Heritage sites, administered by Parks Canada is conserved for the benefit of present and future generations.

7. Accountabilities

7.1

The Parks Canada President & Chief Executive Officer must:

7.1.1

Ensure the intended objective and expected results of this policy are achieved.

7.1.2

Recommend updates of this policy to the Minister.

7.1.3

Approve related directives and subsequent updates.

7.2

The Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage must:

7.2.1

Provide functional leadership and advice on this policy and related instruments to Parks Canada team members.

7.2.2

Lead the implementation of this policy and related instruments with respect to cultural resources that are part of the collection under the care of Parks Canada.

7.2.3

Provide functional leadership and advice related to the planning and investments in cultural resources, archaeological sites, heritage lighthouses and World Heritage sites administered and cared for by Parks Canada.

7.2.4

Ensure training, guidance, and tools on cultural resource management are developed and available to Parks Canada team members.

7.2.5

Ensure that the recognition of cultural resources under 7.4.1 is carried out and in a manner consistent with the Indigenous Stewardship Framework and related instruments.

7.2.6

Maintain a community of practice on cultural resource management.

7.2.7

Maintain an inventory of cultural resources recognized under 7.4.1.

7.2.8

Monitor the effectiveness of this policy.

7.3

The Vice-President, Operations must:

7.3.1

Lead the implementation of this policy and related instruments at heritage places to achieve their intended objectives and expected results.

7.4

Jointly, the Vice-President, Operations and the Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage may:

7.4.1

Approve the recognition of cultural resources unless the authority is already attributed by law or another policy to the Minister.

7.4.2

Delegate their respective authority under 7.4.1 to approve the recognition of cultural resources to an executive under their management.

7.5

Vice-President, Real Property and Assets must:

7.5.1

As the Senior Designated Official for Real Property and Materiel, ensure that the principles of this policy and the requirements of related instruments are integrated into portfolio management, planning and investment processes for real property and materiel.

7.5.2

To support implementation of this policy and related instruments, ensure that technical training tools and guidance on the conservation of real property are developed and available to Parks Canada team members.

7.6

Jointly, the Vice-President, Real Property and Assets and Vice-President Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage must:

7.6.1

Ensure the principles of this policy and the requirements of related instruments are applied and effectively integrated in materiel and real property investment decisions.

7.7

All Parks Canada Vice-Presidents must:

7.7.1

Ensure that Parks Canada team members take appropriate training on cultural resource management.

7.8

Field Unit Superintendents must:

7.8.1

Ensure that, at heritage places, the principles of this policy and the requirements of related instruments are applied and effectively integrated in the management of cultural resources in a manner consistent with key practices outlined in the Framework for History and Commemoration.

8. Definitions

Archaeological site

A place or area where tangible evidence of past human activity is preserved on, below or above the ground.

Classified Federal Heritage Building

A Classified Federal Heritage Building designated under the Treasury Board Policy on the Management of Real Property prior to May 13, 2022.

Commemorative integrity

Refers to the condition or state of a National Historic Site when the site has retained the heritage value for which it was designated. Commemorative integrity is achieved when specific criteria are met.

Conservation

All actions or processes aimed at retaining the heritage value of a cultural resource, heritage lighthouse and World Heritage site.

Cultural resource

Cultural resources bear witness to human activity and have meaning that derives from their associations with aspects of human history, culture, and spirituality.

Cultural resource management aims at conserving the heritage value of the following:

National Historic Site
a Heritage Railway Station
a Federal Heritage Property designated under the Directive on the Management of Real Property on or after May 13, 2022
a Classified Federal Heritage Building
tangible or intangible resources recognized as having heritage value under section 7.4.1.

Heritage Lighthouse

A heritage lighthouse and related buildings designated under section 6 of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.

Heritage place

Land, submerged land, ice, and water administered by Parks Canada in a national historic site, national park and park reserve, national marine conservation area and reserve, and any other protected heritage area as defined in section 2 of the Parks Canada Agency Act.

Heritage Railway Station

A heritage railway station designated under section 4 of the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act.

Heritage value

The aesthetic, historic, scientific, cultural, social, or spiritual significance of a cultural resource or archaeological site.

In the case of a heritage lighthouse, heritage value means its heritage character.

In the case of a World Heritage site, heritage value means its Outstanding Universal Value.

The authoritative heritage value description of a cultural resource designated by the Minister is found on the public register of federal heritage designations maintained by Parks Canada.

Recognized Federal Heritage Building

A building designated as a Recognized Federal Heritage Building under the Policy on the Management of Real Property prior to May 13, 2022.

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