Huntsville Council supports a deadline extension for the Ontario Heritage Act
The Huntsville Council supported a deadline extension for the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA), in the April 22, 2024, meeting.
The Town supports Fort Erie's request to the provincial government for the extension to allow for enough time to register designated heritage properties.
According to the staff report, it takes time and resources to designate heritage properties, which is something the Town and other municipalities are lacking to be able to meet the deadline established by the province.
Municipalities have until the end of the year to have all their heritage properties designated.
According to the OHA, non-designated properties that are listed on municipal property registrations as of December 2022, must be removed by January 2025.
The Town must determine which properties will be designated according to the OHA guidelines, however, staff indicate that this can’t be completed by December 2024, given limited resources.
Along with Fort Erie Architectural Conservancy Ontario the Town supports the request that the Act be amended to allow for a five-year extension, from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2030.
The motion will be sent to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
