Waterloo Heritage Register Review for Bill 23

We are reviewing properties for potential heritage designation due to changes made by the province. Designated heritage properties are valued by the community for their architectural, historic and contextual significance, and help preserve the city’s unique character and sense of place.

City staff will consult the public and contact property owners well in advance of the final report to Council planned for summer/fall 2024. Check this page for project updates and important dates or stay informed using the Subscribe feature below. Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts using the Questions and Comments section on this page. Refer to the FAQs and Helpful Links sections for additional background and information.

Background and Purpose:

Bill 23 (the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), proclaimed on January 1, 2023, made changes to the Ontario Heritage Act which impacts Waterloo’s Municipal Heritage Register (the “Register”) and designation process. Waterloo currently has 152 properties that are “listed” on the Register because they have cultural heritage value or interest, but have not yet been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Bill 23 requires the de-listing (i.e. removal) of these properties from the Register, if not designated by January 1, 2025, posing a risk of demolition and the loss of our built heritage.

To address this, city staff and the Municipal Heritage Committee have identified a short-list of properties to be reviewed for heritage designation before 2025, and have retained Timmins Martelle Heritage Consultants (TMHC) to support this. TMHC will research and evaluate the properties, then provide draft and final reports recommending which ones should be prioritized for designation, for Council’s consideration.