Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (S.C. 2008, c. 16)

Act current to 2013-05-20 and last amended on 2010-05-29. Previous Versions

Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act

S.C. 2008, c. 16

Assented to 2008-05-29

An Act to protect heritage lighthouses

Preamble

WHEREAS lighthouses have long graced Canada’s rugged coastlines and majestic shores, providing and symbolizing direction, hope and safe harbour to generations of mariners;

AND WHEREAS lighthouses form an integral part of Canada’s identity, culture and heritage, and are of historic and aesthetic interest and significance to our communities and our nation;

AND WHEREAS communities in the areas in which lighthouses are situated have an important role in the conservation and protection of heritage lighthouses and in ensuring a public purpose for them;

AND WHEREAS it is important to provide access to heritage lighthouses in order for people to understand and appreciate the contribution of those lighthouses to Canada’s maritime heritage;

AND WHEREAS the Parliament of Canada recognizes that measures must be taken to conserve and protect our heritage lighthouses;

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

Marginal note:Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.

INTERPRETATION

Marginal note:Definitions

2. The following definitions apply in this Act.

“advisory committee”

« comité consultatif »

“advisory committee” means the advisory committee established by the Minister under section 10.

“alter”

« modifier »

“alter” includes to restore or renovate, but does not include to perform routine maintenance and repairs.

“established criteria”

« critère établi »

“established criteria” means the criteria established by the Minister under paragraph 16(a).

“heritage lighthouse”

« phare patrimonial »

“heritage lighthouse” means a lighthouse designated as a heritage lighthouse under this Act, and includes any related building that is included in the designation.

“lighthouse”

« phare »

“lighthouse” means a tower or other structure, including its fixtures, that was built to contain, contains, or once contained a beacon light or other signal to warn or guide marine vessels, whether or not it is now in use as an aid to navigation.

“Minister”

« ministre »

“Minister” means the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency.

“related building”

« bâtiment connexe »

“related building”, in relation to a heritage lighthouse, means any building on the site on which the lighthouse is situated that contributes to the heritage character of the lighthouse.

PURPOSE AND APPLICATION

Marginal note:Purpose

3. The purpose of this Act is to conserve and protect heritage lighthouses by

  • (a) providing for the selection and designation of heritage lighthouses;

  • (b) preventing the unauthorized alteration or disposition of heritage lighthouses;

  • (c) requiring that heritage lighthouses be reasonably maintained; and

  • (d) facilitating sales or transfers of heritage lighthouses in order to ensure the lighthouses’ public purpose.