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Yes! Bill C-323 – An Act to create tax incentives for the rehabilitation of Historic Property – passed second reading, and will continue to Committee!

Thanks to your efforts and the letters written by many heritage supporters, MPs voted in the House of Commons on March 23, 2017 to send Bill C-323 to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development – an important step in making tax incentives a reality!

Where is the Bill in the Parliamentary process?

December 1, 2016:

Private Member’s Bill Introduced in the House of Commons.

Thursday, March 23, 2017:

Successfully passed Second Reading Vote to Send to Environment Committee for Study.

NOW:

Committee Stage (Fall 2017)

Following the vote at Second Reading the Committee has up to 60 sitting days to consider the Bill, make any amendments, and bring it back to Parliament. The Committee did not start its review before Parliament rose for the summer break, and has been granted an extension to consider the Bill past October 6, 2017.

Report Stage Reading (Back to House of Commons, likely mid- to late-Fall 2017)

There will be debate (two one-hour sessions) and voting on any proposed amendments the following week. The process could take up to 30 days.

Third Reading

More debate (two one-hour sessions) and a vote – if passed, the Bill goes to Senate for debate, and if passed, Royal Assent, and becomes law.

What's New?

Some important facts:

1. It is not unusual for the Government to resist a Bill proposed by a Member of the Opposition (Conservative Party). But there is still hope. When the Bill comes back for Third Reading, MPs from every Party will have the same opportunity to vote in favour of the Bill that they did at Second Reading.

2. We have the whole summer to keep the conversation alive about historic place and the need for incentives! Please consider meeting Liberal MPs, to thank them for their “Yes” vote at Second Reading, or to tell them why their support for tax incentives is essential to a vibrant economy and a sustainable environment. See “What you can do” below.

3. Don’t forget: The Liberal Party of Canada expressed their willingness to consider financial incentives for historic places in their October 2015 pre-election message to the heritage sector. Responding to written questions from the National Trust for Canada, Liberal Party president Anna Gainey wrote. “A Liberal government will work in collaboration with the heritage sector and other stakeholders to examine measures that promote the preservation and rehabilitation of Canada’s heritage buildings. We are open to measures that use the tax system that stimulate private investments in heritage buildings.” See the full letter here. Let’s all remind the Government of that promise, and help them find ways to keep it.

What you can do:

A. Talk to your MP this summer! Here is the link to find your MP by postal code. Find out here how your MP voted.

Thank your MP for voting YES and urge them to stay the course. Share the information below.

If your MP voted against the Bill at Second Reading, meet them for a personal conversation and share the points below. Offer to provide any additional information they request. Let us know how we can help!

Key Messages for Liberal MPs, the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Finance:

The Liberal Party of Canada made a promise to the heritage sector: “A Liberal government will work in collaboration with the heritage sector and other stakeholders to examine measures that promote the preservation and rehabilitation of Canada’s heritage buildings. We are open to measures that use the tax system that stimulate private investments in heritage buildings.”

If the Government will not support Bill C-323 as drafted, with it consider amendments? If not, how and when will the Liberal Government move forward with its promise to examine financial incentives for historic places?

Key Messages for NDP MPs

NDP MPs have expressed concern that the Bill might make the rich richer, if incentives are made available to the owners of mansions and valuable commercial properties. That might happen in some cases – but the reality is that the majority of Canada’s heritage buildings are in the hands of the middle class, some of them located in areas of deprivation, starved for repair and investment. Incentives can help kick-start these places into sustainable new uses, and motivate owners who might otherwise find demolition and new construction to be the more lucrative option.

Incentives for heritage buildings recognize that the historic environment is a shared legacy and a public benefit. Owners of designated buildings bear the financial burden for that public benefit, and incentives can help level the playing field.

B. Consider responding in writing to the replies you received from your MP, from the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, who is responsible for historic places in Canada, and the Hon. Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. Remind them of the promise the Liberal Party made to “examine measures that promote the preservation and rehabilitation of Canada’s heritage buildings.” Here is a sample letter to get you started. When crafting your letter(s), you will find helpful background information on our website. Point to historic places in your area that need this kind of financial measure – especially those at risk!

Cc the National Trust, the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance and the Hon. Peter Van Loan (sponsor of the Bill) to let us know what action you’ve taken! Send a copy of your letters, and any replies you receive to the National Trust for Canada, by email at National Trust, or by mail to 190 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 6H4.

Thank you! Together, we can make a difference for places that matter.