Heritage railway stations of Canada

Since the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act was proclaimed into law in 1990, over 150 heritage railway stations have been designated across Canada. To be considered for designation, a railway station must be at least 40 years old and owned by a railway company to which Part III of the Canada Transportation Act applies. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, with support from Parks Canada, evaluates eligible railway stations based on criteria such as architectural and historical significance and then makes a recommendation for designation to the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency (Minister of Environment and Climate Change).

Once under the protection of the Act, a designated railway station cannot be altered, demolished, sold or transferred without Governor in Council authorization. Parks Canada works closely with railway companies to ensure that authorized alterations and/or transfers of ownership respect the heritage value and character-defining elements outlined in the Heritage Character Statement for each designated heritage railway station.

Designated heritage railway stations are found in communities both large and small and are a vitally important part of Canada's built heritage.

---

Designated heritage railway stations

Profiled below are the heritage railway stations that have been designated through the recommendations of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC).

---

Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act

The Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act proclaimed in 1990, responded to long-standing and widespread concern that Canada’s heritage railway stations were not being afforded an adequate level of protection. The initiative of a private Member of Parliament, the Act received support of all parties and reflects the government of Canada’s strong commitment to the preservation of our built heritage.

The Act applies to all railway companies governed by Part III of the Canada Transportation Act. According to the Act, no railway company may in any way alter, demolish, or transfer ownership of a designated heritage railway station without the authorization of the Governor in Council. The Act provides a clear process through which proposed alterations must be reviewed and approved.

The effectiveness of the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act ultimately depends on the railway companies who manage and care for the stations daily, and on the private citizens who continue to express concern for the protection of these resources. Each designated station is an important part of the history of a railway corporation and of the heritage of the Canadian people.

---

Evaluation and designation

Criteria for a railway station to be designated

Since 1990, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has evaluated almost 300 railway stations, more than half of which were designated heritage railway stations.

To be considered, a railway station must:

• be owned by a railway company subject to Part III of the Canada Transportation Act; and
• be more than 40 years old.

The Board evaluates eligible stations against criteria that measure historical and architectural significance, the character of surrounding areas and the interest the public shows in the station. If the board determines that a building merits designation as a heritage railway station, it submits a favourable recommendation to the Minister for approval.

The Minister responsible for Parks Canada (the Minister of Environment and Climate Change) officially designates the railway station and informs the railway company of the decision.

Application process for alterations or transfer of ownership of a designated station

When a railway station is to be altered, the owner railway company is required to:

• file an application for authorization with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and post the required Public Notice
• notify the secretariat of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada as early as possible and consult with its representatives
• review the heritage character statement, included on each individual heritage railway station description, at the planning stage and take it into consideration throughout the project and
• submit for review and approval all plans showing proposed alterations, ensuring that the principles of conservation are met.

In the event of a transfer of ownership or sale of a station, the owner railway company must conform to the following requirements:

• file an application for authorization with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and post the required Public Notice
• notify the Secretariat of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and consult with its representatives
• obtain the potential purchaser’s commitment to respect the heritage character of the station as identified in the heritage character statement, included on each individual heritage railway station description, after its acquisition
• obtain a commitment from appropriate authorities to designate the station under provincial heritage legislation in accordance with provincial heritage protection laws
• explain the future use of the station once it is transferred or sold and
• submit for review and approval a feasibility study or plans describing all planned alterations to the site following its transfer or sale, while ensuring that the principles of conservation are met.

The Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act provides that a fine of between $50,000 and $1 million be imposed on railway companies that contravene the act.

---