The Ontario Heritage Act provides a framework for the conservation of properties and geographic features or areas that are valued for the important contribution they make to our understanding and appreciation of the history of a place, an event or people.

These properties or areas contain cultural heritage resources which may include archaeological resources, built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes, that have cultural heritage value or interest. These are heritage properties that are important in the life of communities, contributing to a sense of place and helping to guide planning.

Pat Bayly House

Figure 2. 58 Kings Crescent was custom built in 1953 for Benjamin de Forest Bayly, the first Mayor of Ajax. This property is designated for its association with Bayly and as representative of a post-war single family dwelling in Southern Ontario. (Image courtesy of the Town of Ajax)

The Planning Act and Provincial Policy Statement, 2024 support heritage conservation as part of land-use planning.

Cultural heritage resources may include:

  • residential, commercial, institutional, agricultural or industrial buildings
  • monuments, such as a cenotaph, public art or a statue
  • structures, such as a water tower, culvert, fence or bridge
  • natural features that have cultural heritage value or interest
  • cemeteries, gravestones or cemetery markers
  • landscapes, such as parks and battlefields
  • spiritual and sacred sites
  • ruins
  • archaeological sites, including marine archaeology

In exercising its authority around planning matters, the task for each municipality is to conserve these cultural heritage resources. This process begins with compiling a register of properties of cultural heritage value or interest to the community. Heritage properties, which can include:

The conservation of heritage properties encompasses a range of activities directed at identification, evaluation, protection or formal recognition, promotion, and commemoration in a manner that ensures their cultural heritage value or interest is retained and expressed or communicated.

There are several steps involved in the identification and conservation of heritage properties:

  • Investigate the context and evolution of the properties or study area, within the broader community and local historical themes
  • Survey properties in the community using a recording form
  • Research and evaluate properties or the study area for protection and determine best means of conservation
  • Protect properties through inclusion on the municipal register, designation bylaws or heritage conservation easement agreements under the Ontario Heritage Act or other conservation measures
  • Promote and commemorate heritage properties

kingsville/Gosfield Black Cemetery

Figure 3. Gosfield Black Cemetery in Kingsville contains a monument to commemorate its association with the underground railroad. The cemetery is all that remains of the former Black settlement of Shiloh. (Image courtesy of Kingsville Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee)

For more information on protection and management of heritage properties, see other Ontario Heritage Toolkit guides: