Overview

Heritage Framework Transformation (HFT) is Ontario’s multi-year initiative to modernize archaeology and heritage conservation across the province. This work will enable Ontario to:

  • strengthen the province’s ability to support responsible growth
  • deliver housing and infrastructure more efficiently
  • support economic investment amid global pressures
  • continue to support the conservation of cultural heritage resources for future generations

Through the Heritage Framework Transformation we aim to:

  • make the process for addressing archaeological requirements within land use planning faster and easier to navigate
  • give archaeologists, municipalities and developers a more consistent and predictable process to follow through clearer rules, improved guidance and upgraded digital tools
  • work closely with Indigenous communities to incorporate traditional Indigenous knowledge and improve Indigenous participation in the new framework

Goals of Heritage Framework Transformation

To fully modernize Ontario’s heritage conservation practices, we identified 4 main categories (pillars) of change:

  • legislative and regulatory updates to the Ontario Heritage Act
  • policy and standards improvements
  • operational and service standard changes
  • modernization of digital services

Changes to the heritage framework will result in 4 key outcomes:

  • streamlined archaeological assessments
  • improve compliance through stronger transparency and accountability
  • modern digital tools to improve workflows
  • strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities

Progress and updates

Streamlined archaeological assessments

New standards for limited assessments and partial clearance to help keep projects moving.

Improve compliance through stronger transparency and accountability

Development of evaluation criteria to recognize Licensed Consultant Archaeologists in good standing and potentially remove licence renewal requirements for those who qualify.

Modern digital tools to improve workflows

Continuous enhancement to PastPort, Ontario’s archaeology database and e-service delivery platform, including:

  • GIS mapping
  • automatic proponent and approval authority notifications
  • new internal screening and review supports

Strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities

We are also working to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities by establishing relationship tables, making changes to the notification process to inform Indigenous communities of archaeological assessments initiated within their geographic area of interest.

We are consulting with Indigenous communities and sector stakeholders on potential changes and opportunities to further streamline the archaeology process using a risk-based approach to regulatory oversight.