The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada

　　Role of the Board 　　History of the Board 　　Composition 　　Appointed members 　　Ex-officio Board members 　　Parks Canada Board member 　　Since 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has been mandated to provide advice to the Government of Canada, through the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, on the designation of places, persons and events that have marked and shaped Canada. Every year, new subjects are added to the list of designations. The nominated subject must have a historical significance from a national perspective and not only from a local or regional standpoint. 　　Following an evaluation process and recommendation by the Board, the minister has the authority to designate a site, event or person of national historic significance. 　　In addition to advising on designations of national historic significance under the National Program of Historical Commemoration, the Board provides advice on the following laws and programs: 　　Heritage Railway Stations Program 　　National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers 　　Heritage Lighthouses of Canada Program 　　In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Government of Canada noted the interest of Canadians in protecting natural and cultural heritage places, which led to the creation of a network of national parks and a system of national historic sites throughout the country. 　　In 1919 James B. Harkin, Commissioner of the Dominion's national park system, persuaded the federal government to establish the Advisory Board for Historic Site Preservation. During the Board’s first meeting, its six members selected the official name, The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and elected Brigadier General E. A. Cruikshank as its first chairman. 　　It quickly set about determining the most significant historic sites in the country. At the time, the usual commemoration took the form of a bronze plaque on a stone cairn. 　　In 1953 the Historic Sites and Monuments Act established the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (The Board) in law. A later amendment granted the Board the power to recommend national designation for buildings in consideration of their age or architectural design. 　　In 1989 the Board's mandate was extended to cover the designation of heritage railway stations. Ten years later, it was given the responsibility to commemorate the grave sites of Canadian prime ministers. In 2009, the Board was appointed the advisory committee to the Minister of the Environment for the protection of heritage lighthouses. 　　The Board continues to handle a significant number of applications to designate places, persons and events linked to various aspects of Canada's political, economic and social history. The Board is currently prioritizing the history of Indigenous peoples, environmental history, diversity and Canada and the world, whose designations are generally underrepresented. 　　The Board is composed of a representative from each province and territory (named by the Governor in Council for appointments of up to five years with the possibility of additional terms), as well as the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, an officer of the Canadian Museum of History, and the Vice-President of Parks Canada’s Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate, who also acts as the Board’s Secretary. 　　Candidates for board membership must meet the following criteria: 　　reside in the province or territory they represent 　　have knowledge of the history of the province or territory that they represent, as well as the historical trends that shaped the development of Canada as a whole and/or knowledge of Indigenous cultural practices and traditions 　　be available to attend at least two meetings a year of several days in duration, in addition to preparation time, as well as to officiate at plaque unveiling ceremonies a few times a year 　　For more information on the appointment process of the members of the Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada, please visit the Governor in Council Appointments website. 　　Given the volume of work involved to carry out its mandate, the Board created a number of committees with specific responsibilities. For example, the Lighthouse Committee evaluates the reports on lighthouses and makes recommendations on their designation under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, the Inscriptions Committee reviews and approves texts on commemorative plaques and the Status of Designations Committee clarifies the objective of existing designations.