Parks Canada Closes Historic Places Site, Raising Heritage Concerns
A significant change is on the horizon for Canada’s heritage landscape as Parks Canada prepares to deactivate the Canadian Register of Historic Places website in spring 2026. This announcement has raised concerns among heritage advocates across the country, particularly in Nova Scotia.
Parks Canada Announces Closure of Historic Places Site
The Canadian Register of Historic Places is a national database that has cataloged approximately 13,500 heritage sites since its inception in 2004. This searchable platform allowed users to find historic places recognized at various government levels, including federal, provincial, and municipal. The closure of this resource is alarming, given its role in preserving Canada’s diverse history and cultural identity.
Reasons for the Shutdown
Parks Canada has cited technological obsolescence and security vulnerabilities as primary reasons for the website’s demise. In December 2025, the agency informed its provincial and territorial partners about the impending shutdown. The outdated coding and security issues mean that the current version of the site is no longer viable.
Concerns in Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia, the situation is particularly dire, as there is no alternative public online heritage database. Emma Lang, the executive director of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, highlighted that the website’s importance is “incalculable.” The tool has supported a wide range of users—from genealogists to professionals in architecture and heritage conservation—over the past 15 years.
“We don’t have any alternative for looking up sites that are registered across the province,” Lang emphasized, noting that the site consolidates federal, provincial, territorial, and local designations in one accessible platform.
Efforts to Preserve Heritage Data
Despite the removal of the website, efforts are underway to preserve vital data. The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is actively working with the provincial government to retain all historical records stored on the site. Lang mentioned that they are committed to preserving every image and text entry so that this invaluable information does not disappear.
- St. Patrick’s Church in Halifax is an example of a registered heritage property on the site.
- The Annapolis Royal Historic District is another notable listing.
The National Trust for Canada is also engaging with various jurisdictions to ensure access to downloaded listings, although these do not include images. In the meantime, Nova Scotia’s Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage is negotiating with municipalities and the Heritage Trust to explore ways to showcase the province’s heritage sites online.
As these discussions continue, the need for a comprehensive and secure heritage database remains crucial for maintaining public access to Canada’s rich historical narrative.
