Heritage lighthouses of Canada
Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act
In May 2008, Canada adopted a new law to protect and conserve heritage lighthouses: the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
This Act is an opportunity for Canadians to participate in the conservation and protection of heritage lighthouses that form an integral part of Canada’s identity, culture and heritage.
The Act conserves and protects lighthouses in four key ways:
- By providing a process for the selection and designation of heritage lighthouses, which includes a two-year public petition period to nominate any federally-owned lighthouse for designation. The public petition period ended on 29 May 2012.
- By preventing the unauthorized alteration or disposition of lighthouses that are designated as heritage lighthouses.
- By requiring that heritage lighthouses be reasonably maintained and altered only in keeping with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
- By facilitating sales or transfers of heritage lighthouses to promote an ongoing public purpose or new uses for them while ensuring their long term protection.
The designation of a heritage lighthouse may also include related buildings that contribute to the heritage character of the lighthouse, such as keepers’ residences and fog alarm buildings.
Discover how the evaluation, designation, and conservation processes work by exploring the information found on this site.
We can help!
Contact us for help with any questions you may have about the Heritage Lighthouse Program.
Media can contact us via email at pc.media@pc.gc.ca or call 1-855-862-1812.