Go Back

Waterloo Heritage Register Review for Bill 23

Share Waterloo Heritage Register Review for Bill 23 on Facebook Share Waterloo Heritage Register Review for Bill 23 on Twitter Share Waterloo Heritage Register Review for Bill 23 on Linkedin Email Waterloo Heritage Register Review for Bill 23 link

We are reviewing properties for potential heritage designation due to changes made by the province. Designated heritage properties are valued by the community for their architectural, historic and contextual significance, and help preserve the city’s unique character and sense of place.

City staff will consult the public and contact property owners in advance of the final report to Council planned for late 2024. Check this page for project updates and important dates or stay informed using the Subscribe feature below. Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts using the Questions and Comments section on this page. Refer to the FAQs and Helpful Links sections for additional background and information.

The Heritage Research & Evaluation Report, including all appendices (specific property results), is available in the Documents section on this page. Please share your comments on this Engage page or contact staff (dominik.simpson@waterloo.ca).

Background and Purpose:

Bill 23 (the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), proclaimed on January 1, 2023, made changes to the Ontario Heritage Act which impacts Waterloo’s Municipal Heritage Register (the “Register”) and designation process. Waterloo currently has 152 properties that are “listed” on the Register because they have cultural heritage value or interest, but have not yet been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Bill 23 requires the de-listing (i.e. removal) of these properties from the Register, if not designated by January 1, 2025*, posing a risk of demolition and the loss of our built heritage.

To address this, city staff and the Municipal Heritage Committee have identified a short-list of properties to be reviewed for heritage designation before 2025, and have retained TMHC Inc. to support this. TMHC will research and evaluate the properties, then provide draft and final reports recommending which ones should be prioritized for designation, for Council’s consideration.

*Bill 200, the Homeowner Protection Act, 2024, which received Royal Assent on June 6, 2024 extends this deadline to January 1, 2027 or such later date as may be prescribed.

We are reviewing properties for potential heritage designation due to changes made by the province. Designated heritage properties are valued by the community for their architectural, historic and contextual significance, and help preserve the city’s unique character and sense of place.

City staff will consult the public and contact property owners in advance of the final report to Council planned for late 2024. Check this page for project updates and important dates or stay informed using the Subscribe feature below. Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts using the Questions and Comments section on this page. Refer to the FAQs and Helpful Links sections for additional background and information.

The Heritage Research & Evaluation Report, including all appendices (specific property results), is available in the Documents section on this page. Please share your comments on this Engage page or contact staff (dominik.simpson@waterloo.ca).

Background and Purpose:

Bill 23 (the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), proclaimed on January 1, 2023, made changes to the Ontario Heritage Act which impacts Waterloo’s Municipal Heritage Register (the “Register”) and designation process. Waterloo currently has 152 properties that are “listed” on the Register because they have cultural heritage value or interest, but have not yet been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Bill 23 requires the de-listing (i.e. removal) of these properties from the Register, if not designated by January 1, 2025*, posing a risk of demolition and the loss of our built heritage.

To address this, city staff and the Municipal Heritage Committee have identified a short-list of properties to be reviewed for heritage designation before 2025, and have retained TMHC Inc. to support this. TMHC will research and evaluate the properties, then provide draft and final reports recommending which ones should be prioritized for designation, for Council’s consideration.

*Bill 200, the Homeowner Protection Act, 2024, which received Royal Assent on June 6, 2024 extends this deadline to January 1, 2027 or such later date as may be prescribed.

Questions and Comments

Please share any questions, comments, or ideas you may have about this project with our project team here. 

Your username and question may be published on this site for public viewing. Please note, if you choose to identify yourself with your first and last name in the username field, your name will be available for public viewing. For more information, please refer to our privacy policy.

loader image
Forgot password?
Didn't receive confirmation?
Register Now
Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.
  • Share Does the City Council of Waterloo make the final decision about heritage designations? Are criteria like the city-wide support for or against a ruling, and the possible chilling effect a designation may have on a redevelopment with considerable merit, given primary consideration? Are there any ways of subsidizing a heritage arrangement with civic funding? on Facebook Share Does the City Council of Waterloo make the final decision about heritage designations? Are criteria like the city-wide support for or against a ruling, and the possible chilling effect a designation may have on a redevelopment with considerable merit, given primary consideration? Are there any ways of subsidizing a heritage arrangement with civic funding? on Twitter Share Does the City Council of Waterloo make the final decision about heritage designations? Are criteria like the city-wide support for or against a ruling, and the possible chilling effect a designation may have on a redevelopment with considerable merit, given primary consideration? Are there any ways of subsidizing a heritage arrangement with civic funding? on Linkedin Email Does the City Council of Waterloo make the final decision about heritage designations? Are criteria like the city-wide support for or against a ruling, and the possible chilling effect a designation may have on a redevelopment with considerable merit, given primary consideration? Are there any ways of subsidizing a heritage arrangement with civic funding? link

    Does the City Council of Waterloo make the final decision about heritage designations? Are criteria like the city-wide support for or against a ruling, and the possible chilling effect a designation may have on a redevelopment with considerable merit, given primary consideration? Are there any ways of subsidizing a heritage arrangement with civic funding?

    Karl Dick asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your questions. 

    Waterloo City Council makes the final decision about heritage designation based on staff recommendation and input from the public.

    The effects of designation and redevelopment are given consideration by staff and council. 

    There are heritage grants with the City and Region. Staff are also investigating tax reliefs for heritage properties.

  • Share Why do unelected officials get to “designate” homes as heritage homes which restricts what homeowners can do to their properties? Is there any way to determine the monetary value added to a neighbourhood by having a heritage home? Perhaps only those that deem heritage home important should contribute financially to compensate heritage homeowners to keep homes up to their arbitrary standards. on Facebook Share Why do unelected officials get to “designate” homes as heritage homes which restricts what homeowners can do to their properties? Is there any way to determine the monetary value added to a neighbourhood by having a heritage home? Perhaps only those that deem heritage home important should contribute financially to compensate heritage homeowners to keep homes up to their arbitrary standards. on Twitter Share Why do unelected officials get to “designate” homes as heritage homes which restricts what homeowners can do to their properties? Is there any way to determine the monetary value added to a neighbourhood by having a heritage home? Perhaps only those that deem heritage home important should contribute financially to compensate heritage homeowners to keep homes up to their arbitrary standards. on Linkedin Email Why do unelected officials get to “designate” homes as heritage homes which restricts what homeowners can do to their properties? Is there any way to determine the monetary value added to a neighbourhood by having a heritage home? Perhaps only those that deem heritage home important should contribute financially to compensate heritage homeowners to keep homes up to their arbitrary standards. link

    Why do unelected officials get to “designate” homes as heritage homes which restricts what homeowners can do to their properties? Is there any way to determine the monetary value added to a neighbourhood by having a heritage home? Perhaps only those that deem heritage home important should contribute financially to compensate heritage homeowners to keep homes up to their arbitrary standards.

    Andrew James asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your questions.

    Waterloo Council are elected officials and make the final decision to designate a heritage property or not designate based on community/owner feedback or other factors.

    Several academic studies have shown that heritage designation may actually be correlated with increases in property values:

     

    The City of Waterloo also has a Façade Improvement Grant program to assist with exterior renovations on heritage properties and are investigating expanding the program city-wide. 

    The conservation of cultural heritage is not just about the preservation of material things, but is also about safeguarding and sharing heritage for the betterment of people’s lives and the environment. Preservation helps to create a sustainable community and an enhanced quality of life experience. The following articles speak to the role that the conservation of cultural heritage plays in the wellbeing of our communities:

     

    If you have additional questions, please contact dominik.simpson@waterloo.ca. 

  • Share How can I apply for a heritage designation on my property on Facebook Share How can I apply for a heritage designation on my property on Twitter Share How can I apply for a heritage designation on my property on Linkedin Email How can I apply for a heritage designation on my property link

    How can I apply for a heritage designation on my property

    Thesbrian asked 7 months ago

    Hello, thank you for your question and apologies for the delay in our response. Please contact dominik.simpson@waterloo.ca and share your address that you wish to be designated.  Staff will get back to you with next steps. 

Page last updated: 19 Dec 2024, 09:48 AM