1.0 Introduction to the Guide

This Guide and associated Guidelines are designed to provide guidance in the preparation of a Commemorative Integrity Statement (CIS) for a national historic site. The objective is to provide all the information necessary to those responsible for preparing these statements. This includes owners of national historic sites, local, regional and national interest groups who become involved in CIS preparation and Parks Canada personnel. The Guide and Guidelines were prepared in consultation with experienced practitioners.

This Guide and Guidelines form the basis on which CISs for sites administered by Parks Canada and others will be reviewed for approval.

This tool has two parts. The Guide contains the basic information for preparing statements. It is supported by the Guidelines , which contain additional information for those who require more detail or have particular issues that they wish to address.

The Guide and Guidelines are intended to allow users to prepare CISs in a consistent manner that effectively reflects the resources, values and messages of a site. At the same time, wider understanding of what is required simplifies the process, ensuring that statements done in compliance with the Guide and Guidelines are developed and reviewed more quickly. As the Guide and Guidelines provide the basis for approval, adherence to these ensures that a statement will be more easily and quickly approved.

1.0.1 What is a National Historic Site?

A national historic site is a place that has been designated by the Minister of Canadian Heritage on behalf of the federal government as being a place of national historic significance. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) is appointed by the federal government to provide advice to the Minister concerning designation of sites. See Guideline No. 1 - Glossary , for a fuller description of the term national historic site.