C-23Historic Places of Canada Act
An Act respecting places, persons and events of national historic significance or national interest, archaeological resources and cultural and natural heritage
Government bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 7, 2022
- Status
- Defeated at second reading in the House of Commons
What it does
Creates a federal law to designate places, persons and events of national significance, protect heritage sites and archaeological resources, and repeal the current sites and monuments law.
What it does
- Creates a system to designate places, persons and events of national significance or national interest.
- Sets the federal minister’s duties for designations, protection of heritage value, protection of archaeological resources, and work on the World Heritage Convention.
- Continues the federal board that advises on sites and monuments, and adds representatives for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
- Requires a public register of designated places, persons and events, and lets some information be kept out in some cases.
- Requires federal ministers and certain Crown corporations to consider conservation standards and consult Parks Canada before physical changes or disposal of some designated places.
- Creates a program to commemorate deceased prime ministers at their grave sites or other appropriate places.
Who it affects
- Federal ministers
- Crown corporations
- Parks Canada Agency
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis
- Federal heritage board
- Families of deceased prime ministers
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Defeated here. Defeated
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalJohn Aldag· December 2, 2022
“It is truly a pleasure and indeed an honour to speak in support of Bill C-23. For me, Bill C-23 has really important personal connections.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeDamien Kurek· December 2, 2022
“As always, it is an honour to be able to enter into debate and discussion regarding the important matters facing Canadians and to participate in the debate on Bill C-23, the historic places of Canada act. Many Canadians would consider our national parks and our national historic sites to be truly jewels of our country.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocMonique Pauzé· December 2, 2022
“The Bloc Québécois will support this bill, which is clearly an opportunity for the government to kick-start its intentions of reconciliation with first nations and to implement some of the specific recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPRichard Cannings· December 2, 2022
“I am happy to rise today to speak to Bill C-23, the historic places of Canada act, which will modernize the Historic Sites and Monuments Act. In short, this new act will update the protection and conservation framework for historic places and give indigenous people a role in determining those places.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At second reading in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.