Intended outcomes

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 these protected sites without a permit is prohibited under the Act. Learn more about these permits. 

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:  

• Making permitting faster and easier, to avoid waiting for multiple permits and navigating unclear rules and processes 
• Helping people and communities rebuild quicker after disasters such as wildfires and floods      
• Protecting heritage more effectively, reducing the risk of accidental damage to sacred or other significant sites 
• Strengthening the role of First Nations in decision-making about their own heritage and ancestors, in alignment with the Declaration Act  
• 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 

Learn more about the proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act: