A CALL TO RENEW
Read More!
Click here for all the most recent news posts and media releases:
» NEWS: PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
UBCM Convention 2011 Resolution
The Union of BC Municipalities passed a resolution at its annual convention last week in support of Heritage BC and the “Call to Renew” British Columbia’s heritage program. The resolution was proposed by the City of Kelowna and endorsed by the Southern Interior Local Government Association. Many other municipal and regional governments and regional associations had passed similar resolutions and forwarded them to the UBCM in the months leading up to the fall convention.
The UBCM routinely considers a number of resolutions on issues of concern to local government, many of them dealing with the province. Under the province’s own policy, it is local governments that carry the greatest responsibility where heritage conservation is concerned, so their views on the “Call to Renew” campaign are paramount. It remains to be seen how the provincial government will respond.
Below is the wording for the full resolution:
B69 RETURN TO HERITAGE FUNDING
WHEREAS heritage generally throughout Canada is suffering due to the economic downturn, the loss of provincial government support in 2008 with the withdrawal of provincial funding for the Heritage Branch (Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment), Heritage BC, as well as community-based organizations throughout the province, means that community heritage resources are at risk for deterioration and loss;
AND WHEREAS heritage is an important asset for economic development in British Columbia as a draw for cultural tourism, one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry and the loss of heritage resources and the opportunity for people to experience the unique identity of communities in BC could further negatively impact on the local and provincial economy:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government adopt Heritage BC’s “Call to Renew British Columbia’s Heritage” initiative by:
• Adopting the Provincial Heritage Strategy, completed in 2009 but never implemented;
• Restoring the budget for the Heritage Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment;
• Resolving the heritage properties question, which includes issues related to provincially-owned heritage properties;
• Restoring community support through governmental initiatives including programming and gaming funds;
• Reinvesting in the Heritage Legacy Fund in order to support long-range heritage conservation work throughout the province.
ENDORSED BY THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Endorse
Heritage in Crisis
A special issue of Heritage BC Quarterly looks at the latest developments, their complex, interconnected impacts, and their effects on B.C. communities. A number of recent actions by the provincial government have done serious harm to heritage in B.C. Stemming from the current deficit crisis, the cuts and cancellations were in fact just the latest in a trend that goes back almost 20 years. The cumulative effect has been to undo much of what was once widely regarded as the best provincial heritage program in Canada.
- Does Heritage Matter?
- Breaching the Social Contract : Gaming & Heritage
- Devolution : The Heritage Properties
- Then & Now : 1989 - 2009
» FALL 2009 : HERITAGE IN CRISIS PDF
Heritage Legacy Fund
As of May 2010, the Heritage Legacy Fund approved 97 grants, spread over 59 communities throughout B.C., for a total of $1.35 million, an average of just under $14,000 per grant. In 2008-09 another $851,000 in grants was made available to 58 projects under the BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund program. Read more about these project – and how you can help make a difference!
HERITAGE LEGACY FUND: The First Five Years
» View Online!
» Download PDF
