{"id":79877,"date":"2025-08-28T16:00:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T23:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/?post_type=engagement&#038;p=79877"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:00:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T00:00:29","slug":"heritage-conservation-act","status":"publish","type":"engagement","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/heritage-conservation-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Heritage Conservation Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group engage-banner has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fbda80\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top\">Engagement was open August 28 to November 14, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#696f6a\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1799\" height=\"900\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-79882\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner.jpg\" style=\"object-position:56% 100%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"56% 100%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner.jpg 1799w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner-1200x600.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1799px) 100vw, 1799px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\"><div class=\"engagement-content-wrapper\"><h1 class=\"engagement-title-banner \" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/themes\/bcgov-engagement\/dist\/images\/blue-curve-bg.svg)\">Heritage Conservation Act<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\">Home<\/a>\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a> \n                  <span>\n        Heritage Conservation Act\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On this page:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#summary\" title=\"\">What is the Heritage Conservation Act update about?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contribution\" title=\"\">Project background<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dates:<\/strong> August 28 to November 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who: <\/strong>The Ministry of Forests<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What: <\/strong>Updating the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong> Province-wide<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why:<\/strong> Update the HCA to benefit all people in B.C. and ensure it is consistent with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/indigenous-peoples\/un-declaration-rights-indigenous-peoples\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How: <\/strong>Online<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-engagement_category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\"><strong>Category: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/families-and-residents\/\" rel=\"tag\">Families and Residents<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/land-and-water\/\" rel=\"tag\">Land and Water<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/natural-resource-sector\/\" rel=\"tag\">Natural Resource Sector<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/natural-resources\/\" rel=\"tag\">Natural Resources<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/reconciliation-initiatives\/\" rel=\"tag\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"engagement-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/BannerFinal.jpg);background-position:46% 81%\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary\">What is the Heritage Conservation Act update about?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) encourages and enables the protection and conservation of sites with historical, cultural and\/or archaeological value in B.C. These sites hold physical evidence of how and where people lived. Many of these sites in B.C. are culturally sensitive, contain ancestral remains, and have important sacred and spiritual value to First Nations in B.C. Altering\u202fthese protected sites without a permit is prohibited under the Act. <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/natural-resource-use\/archaeology\/forms-publications\/property_owner_brochure.pdf\" title=\"\">Learn more&nbsp;about these permits (PDF, 1MB)<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Significant changes have not been made to the HCA since 1996. This project aims to update the HCA to address concerns that have been raised for a long time, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Making&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/industry\/natural-resource-use\/archaeology\/permits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">permitting<\/a>&nbsp;faster and easier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helping people and communities rebuild quicker after disasters such as wildfires and floods &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protecting heritage more effectively, reducing the risk of accidental damage to sacred or other significant sites&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening the role of First Nations in decision-making about their own heritage and ancestors, in alignment with the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/governments\/indigenous-people\/new-relationship\/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Declaration Act\u202f<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increasing transparency and access to information (including making it easier to find out if there is a protected site on your property) to support planning and development decisions&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Joint Working Group on First Nations Heritage Conservation (JWGFNHC), which includes members appointed by the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the<s> <\/s>B.C. Government, has been leading the HCA transformation process. The JWGFNHC serves as a forum for collaboration between the Province and FNLC on heritage matters. \u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/heritageconservationact\" title=\"\">engage site<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Project background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The purpose of the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) is to encourage and enable the protection and conservation of cultural heritage in B.C. There are over 64,000 protected heritage sites in B.C. and 90 percent\u202fof these sites are of First Nations origin.&nbsp;To date, the Project has included two phases of engagement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phase 1: Summer and Fall 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Identified priority areas for change through broad engagement with First Nations and stakeholders. A backgrounder document was developed to inform dialogue:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/987\/2025\/07\/hca_engagement_backgrounder.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phase 1 Engagement Backgrounder (PDF, 1.5 MB)<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outcomes from Phase 1 engagement are outlined in the following What We Heard Reports:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/987\/2025\/07\/hcatp_phase_1_wwhr_first_nations.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phase 1 What We Heard Report \u2013 First Nations (PDF, 798 KB)<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/987\/2025\/07\/hcatp_phase_1_wwhr_stakeholders.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phase 1 What We Heard Report \u2013 Stakeholders\u202f(PDF, 575 KB)<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phase 2: Fall 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Broad engagement&nbsp;on proposed short-term changes with First Nations and stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outcomes from Phase 2 engagement with First Nations and stakeholders is outlined in the following <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/987\/2025\/07\/hcatp_phase_2_wwhr.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phase 2\u202fWhat We Heard Report (PDF 1 MB)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engagement in 2023 indicated that the proposed changes were in the right areas, but First Nations and stakeholders desired more robust, longer-term changes. In January 2024, a decision was made to develop a broader scope of proposed changes for future legislative session(s). \u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related engagements<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-engagements\">\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls. Categories: Families and Residents, Reconciliation Initiatives. Status: Open.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-open\">\n                                            Open                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/okanaganfalls\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/okanaganfalls\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Community Advisory Group on Extortion. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety, Multi-language. Status: Open.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-open\">\n                                            Open                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Community Advisory Group on Extortion                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/Extortion-Police-Car.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Daylight Saving Time. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Daylight Saving Time                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/DST-Banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Making Family Law Better for Families. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Making Family Law Better for Families                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/FLA-Phase-2-dad-and-kids-hug-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre. Categories: Arts and Culture, Families and Residents, Multi-language, Recreation and Tourism. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/provincial-filipino-cultural-centre\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Arts and Culture<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Recreation and Tourism<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/provincial-filipino-cultural-centre\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/05\/Provincial-Filipino-Cultural-Centre.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: The Future of WorkBC. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Education and Training, Families and Residents. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/the-future-of-workbc\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        The Future of WorkBC                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Education and Training<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/the-future-of-workbc\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/05\/Employment-Services-Banner-sm-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":79882,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","engagement_category":[267,277,22,272,292],"engagement_region":[192],"engagement_status":[52],"engagement_pin_group":[],"class_list":["post-79877","engagement","type-engagement","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","engagement_category-families-and-residents","engagement_category-land-and-water","engagement_category-natural-resource-sector","engagement_category-natural-resources","engagement_category-reconciliation-initiatives","engagement_region-province-wide","engagement_status-closed"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"pinned_engagement_toggle":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/79877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/engagement"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/79877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82151,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/79877\/revisions\/82151"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"engagement_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_category?post=79877"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_region?post=79877"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_status?post=79877"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_pin_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_pin_group?post=79877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}