the protection of quÉbec’s the cultural property act …

THE CULTURALPROPERTY ACT

THE PROTECTIONOF QUÉBEC’SHERITAGE

Photo credits:Front cover, from left to right

1. Moulin à vent FlemingClassified archaeological propertyMontréalMCCCF, Jean-François Rodrigue

2. Manoir Mauvide-GenestClassified historic monumentSaint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’OrléansMCCCF, Marie-Claude Côté

3. Vase en faïence françaisePlace-Royale archaeological reference collectionClassified archaeological propertyQuébec CityMCCCF, Marc-André Grenier

4. Chalouperie GodboutClassified historic monumentSaint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’OrléansMCCCF, Marie-Claude Côté

Back cover of the brochure, from left to right

5. Pulperie de ChicoutimiClassified historic siteSaguenayMCCCF, Jean-François Rodrigue

6. Église de Saint-RomualdClassified historic monumentLévisMCCCF, Geneviève Hébert

7. Ancien palais de justice de KamouraskaDesignated historic monumentKamouraskaMCCCF, Jean-François Rodrigue

Design:Tremblay Litalien

Translation:Traductions Terrance Hughes inc.

Dépôt légal : 2007Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du QuébecBibliothèque et Archives Canada© Gouvernement du Québec, 2007ISBN 978-2-550-50627-0

The Direction du patrimoine et de la muséologie produced this brochure, published by the Secrétariat général.

the protection of québec’s heritage 3introduction

CULTURAL HERITAGECultural heritage occupies an important place inQuebecers’ memory but also in their living environ-ment. This heritage is pervasive and varied fromthe standpoint of its origins, forms and uses.

Over the years, Quebecers have become aware ofthe value and interest of their heritage, which hasled the government to implement conditionsfavourable to its protection. The Cultural PropertyAct (R.S.Q., c. B-4), adopted on July 8, 1972, isintended specifically to promote the safeguardingand development of the most representative, bestpreserved facets of our heritage, whether they areplaces, buildings, works of art or ethnologicalobjects, archaeological sites or collections, archivesor printed documents.

To this end, the Act includes a number of provisionsthat allow the Québec government, the Minister ofCulture, Communications and the Status of Womenand local officials to identify and protect Québec’sheritage, and to respect the rights of those whoown, oversee or use such heritage.

In the Québec government, the Minister of Culture,Communications and the Status of Women is respon-sible for the administration of the Cultural PropertyAct. The Québec government may, by order, protecta historic or a natural district. The Minister may pre-serve immovable or movable cultural property thathas province-wide heritage value, in particular bygranting such property the legal status of classifiedor recognized cultural property. The Commission desbiens culturels du Québec advises the Minister onquestions pertaining to heritage. The mandates ofthis advisory body are defined in Chapter II of theCultural Property Act. In the realm of heritage, theMinister also relies on the expertise of the Directiondu patrimoine and the regional branches, which pro-vide front-line liaison with Quebecers.

The municipalities may also protect buildings or sitesunder the Cultural Property Act. On their own initia-tive or at the request of residents, they may identifyand protect property that has heritage value at thelocal or regional level.

Quebecers have a leading role to play in heritageprotection, whether they own cultural property orcontact their municipality or the regional branch ofthe ministère de la Culture, des Communications etde la Condition féminine to request that a propertythat they deem to have heritage value be protected.Individuals are essential participants in the safe-guarding and development of heritage and cancontribute both from the standpoint of preserva-tion and awareness.

The legal status granted by the government appliesto two types of territories, i.e.

• historic districts,• natural districts.

The status granted by the Minister appliesto various categories of cultural property, i.e.

• works of art• historic properties• historic monuments• historic sites• archaeological properties• archaeological sites• cinematographic, audiovisual, photographic,radio or television works

Moreover, themunicipalitiesmay protect their heritageby designating historic monuments or establishingheritage sites.

Specific procedures and application measures, advan-tages and obligations are associated with each typeof legal status and category of property. For this reason,it is important to properly measure the foreseeableimplications before requesting the attribution of legalstatus.

the protection of québec’s heritageintroduction4

To obtain more information quicklyOne simple way to learn more about cultural property isto consult the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel duQuébec, which presents all of the properties listed in theregister of recognized and classified cultural propertybut also historic or natural districts and property andsectors protected by municipal by-law.

The Répertoire is available onlinewww.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca.

(see the glossary on page 27)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CULTURAL HERITAGE ..........................................................................................................3

PROVINCE-WIDE STATUS ..................................................................................................6

CLASSIFICATION ......................................................................................................7RECOGNITION ........................................................................................................11ORDER RESPECTING HISTORICOR NATURAL DISTRICTS ..................................................................................13

MUNICIPAL STATUS ..........................................................................................................16

DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC MONUMENTS ........................................17ESTABLISHMENT OF HERITAGE SITES ..................................................18

PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ........................................................20

PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONSAT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL ..........................................................................21PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONSAT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL..............................................................................23INFORMATION ON CULTURAL PROPERTIES ......................................24OTHER HERITAGE PRESERVATION MEASURES ................................25OTHER MEANS OF PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE ............................26USEFUL TERMS ......................................................................................................27USEFUL ADDRESSES ............................................................................................28

PROVINCE-WIDE STATUS

CLASSIFICATION

RECOGNITION

ORDER RESPECTING HISTORICOR NATURAL DISTRICTS

CLASSIFICATIONnature and scopeClassification is an identification and legal protectionmeasure to which the Minister of Culture,Communications and the Status of Women mayresort to preserve property whose conservation isin the public interest because of its heritage value.More than 500 historic sites and monumentsthroughout Québec have been classified, alongwith thousands of objects such as archaeologicalproperties, works of art, ethnological objects,archives, and so on. Over 100 monuments are alsosurrounded by a protected area.

advantages• A classified property not only obtains assuredpermanent protection but also benefits fromsymbolic added value and enhanced visibility.

Classification makes it possible to identify movableand immovable cultural properties that makes upour cultural heritage.

• All classified property is recorded in the register ofcultural properties (s. 11) and the Répertoire dupatrimoine culturel du Québec. All classified buil-dings may also be recorded in the Canadian Registerof Historic Places.

• The owners of classified cultural property mayobtain technical support from the ministère de laCulture, des Communications et de la Conditionféminine. Depending on the type of property, theowner may also obtain financial assistance coveringpart of the cost of certain restoration work orarchaeological intervention (consult the appro-priate MCCCF assistance programs).

• The Act authorizes the Minister, once he has soughtthe advice of the Commission des biens culturels duQuébec, to contribute to the maintenance, restora-tion, alteration or transport of classified culturalproperty or property situated on a classified site(s. 51 (d)).

• Any classified cultural immovable property not usedfor commercial purposes may be exempted fromproperty tax to the extent and under the conditionsprovided by regulation up to one-half of the valueentered on the valuation roll (s. 33).

the protection of québec’s heritage 7classification

(see box on page 10)

• Under certain conditions, a classified propertymay be eligible for the programs of othergovernment departments and public agenciesand for those offered by the Canadian government.

obligations…… Pertaining to preservationThe Act imposes certain obligations on the ownerof a classified cultural property, the first one beingto keep it in good condition (s. 30).

No person may, without the permission of theMinister, who obtains the advice of the Commissiondes biens culturels du Québec:

• transport classified property outside Québec(ss. 17 and 34);

• alter, restore, repair, change in anymanner or demolishall or part of any classified cultural property (s. 31).

In the case of an immovable, no person may,without the permission of the Minister, who obtainsthe advice of the Commission des biens culturels duQuébec:

• move it or use it as a backing for a construction(s. 31).

Moreover, in the case of a classified historic site, noperson may, without the permission of the Minister,who obtains the advice of the Commission des biensculturels du Québec:

• divide or subdivide, redivide or parcel out any lot (s. 48);

• change the arrangement, ground plan, destinationor utilization of an immovable (s. 48);

• make any construction, repairs, alteration relatingto the exterior appearance of an immovable (s. 48);

• demolish all or part of the immovable or erect anew construction (s. 48);

• post up a new sign or billboard or alter, replace ordemolish any sign or billboard (s. 49);

• make any construction, repairs or alteration relatingto the interior appearance of an immovable, if thesitewas classified beforeMarch 22, 1978 (s. 48).

These obligations are separate requirements fromthose that a municipality may establish in order toissue a municipal construction permit. The permissionof the Minister of Culture, Communications and theStatus of Women and the municipal permit must beobtained in order for the work to be carried out.

the protection of québec’s heritageclassification8

… Pertaining to alienationPrior to alienation

No person may alienate, i.e. transfer in whole or inpart his rights linked to the property, classified cul-tural property, without the authorization of theMinister, who obtains the advice of the Commissiondes biens culturels du Québec, in favour:

• of any government, including departments andagencies thereof, other than that of Québec;

• of any legal person whose principal establishmentis not situated in Québec;

• of any natural person who is not a Canadian citizenor a permanent resident within the meaning ofthe Immigration Act (s. 32).

No person may alienate classified cultural propertywithout giving theMinister at least 60 days’ previouswritten notice. During this period, if the culturalproperty which one wishes to alienate has existedfor more than 50 years at the time it is offered forsale (10 years in the case of a photographic,cinematographic, audiovisual, radio or televisiondocument), the Minister may decide to exercise hisright of preemption, i.e. to acquire it by preferenceover any other purchaser at the price it is offeredfor sale (ss. 20, 22 and 34).

After alienation

Every person who becomes the owner of classifiedcultural property by legal or testamentary successionmust, within 60 days of his being put in possession,give notice of it to the Minister (ss. 21 and 34).

Notice in writing of the alienation must however begiven to the Minister within 30 days of its occurrence(ss. 23 and 34).

the protection of québec’s heritage 9classification

Notice of intentionThe Minister must, before obtaining the advice of theCommission des biens culturels du Québec, send a noticeof his intention to proceed with classification to theowner of the cultural property and to the municipality inwhose territory the cultural property is situated andpublish the notice in a local newspaper (s. 25).

The notice of intention to proceed is valid for a period ofone year from the date of sending of the notice,although the Minister may proceed with the classification60 days after the sending of the notice. Any interestedperson may, within 30 days of the sending of the noticeof intention, make representations to the Commission.

During the period of validity of the notice of intention,the owner of the property must conduct himself asthough the property were already classified.

Protected areaThe protected area is intended to control the deve-lopment of the area surrounding a classified historicmonument in order to preserve its heritage value.A protected area is not established automaticallysimply because the monument is classified. Indeed,it is only established if the Minister determines itsperimeter and adopts an order to this effect, afterobtaining the advice of the Commission des biensculturels du Québec and consulting themunicipalitiesdirectly concerned (ss. 47.1 and 130).

The perimeter of protected areas demarcated priorto April 2, 1986 around a classified historicmonumentmust not be farther than 152 metres from theclassified historic monument, unless they havebeenmodified since then. Since 1986, the protectedarea may have an irregular perimeter that takesinto account the visible environment extendingfrom and toward the monument itself. However, nopoint of the perimeter may be located more than152 metres from the monument.

ObligationsInside a protected area, no one may, without the per-mission of the Minister, who obtains the advice of theCommission des biens culturels du Québec:

• divide or subdivide, redivide or parcel out any lot(ss. 48 and 50);

• change the arrangement, ground plan, destinationor utilization of an immovable (ss. 48 and 50);

• make any construction, repairs, alteration relating to theexterior appearance of an immovable (ss. 48 and 50);

• demolish all or part of the immovable or erect anew construction (ss. 48 and 50);

• post up a new sign or billboard or alter, replace ordemolish any sign or billboard (ss. 49 and 50).


The Act authorizes the Minister, once he has soughtthe advice of the Commission des biens culturels duQuébec, to contribute to the maintenance, restoration,alteration or transport of property situated in a protectedarea (s. 51 (d)).

the protection of québec’s heritageclassification10

RECOGNITIONnature and scopeRecognition is another legal protection measure towhich the Minister of Culture, Communications andthe Status of Women may resort to preserve pro-perty whose conservation is in the public interestbecause of its heritage value. 100 sites andmonumentslocated throughout Québec and 250 groups ormovable objects have been recognized.

advantages• A recognized property gains in symbolic addedvalue and visibility. Recognition makes it possibleto identify movable and immovable cultural pro-perties that makes up our heritage.

• All recognized property is recorded in the registerof cultural properties (s. 11) and the Répertoiredu patrimoine culturel du Québec. All recognized

buildings may also be recorded in the CanadianRegister of Historic Places.

• The owner of a recognized cultural property maybenefit from the expertise and advisory services ofthe ministère de la Culture, des Communications etde la Condition féminine in respect of restorationwork.

• The Act authorizes the Minister, once he has soughtthe advice of the Commission des biens culturels duQuébec, to contribute to the maintenance, restora-tion, alteration or transport of recognized culturalproperty (s. 51 (d)).

• Under certain conditions, a recognized propertymay be eligible for the programs of other govern-ment departments and public agencies and forthose offered by the Canadian government.

obligations…… Pertaining to preservation• No person may alter, restore, repair, change in anymanner or demolish all or part of any recognizedcultural property and, in the case of an immovable,move it or use it as a backing for a construction,without giving the Minister at least 60 days’ pre-vious notice of his intention. However, theMinister’s permission is not required. In the case of

the protection of québec’s heritage 11recognition

an immovable, a copy of the notice must be sentto the local municipality in whose territory thecultural property is situated (s. 18).

• Recognized property shall not be transportedoutside Québec without the permission of theMinister, who shall obtain the advice of theCommission in each case (s. 17).


… Pertaining to alienationPrior to alienation

No person shall alienate, i.e. transfer in whole or inpart his rights pertaining to the property, recognizedcultural property without giving the Minister at least60 days’ previous written notice. During this period,if the recognized cultural property which one wishes toalienate has existed for more than 50 years at the timeit is offered for sale (10 years in the case of a photo-graphic, cinematographic, audiovisual, radio or televisiondocument), the Minister may decide to exercise hisright of preemption, i.e. to acquire it by preferenceover any other purchaser at the price it is offered forsale (ss. 20 and 22).

After alienation

Every person who becomes the owner of recognizedcultural property by legal or testamentary successionmust, within 60 days of his being put in possession,give notice of it to the Minister (s. 21).

Notice in writing of any other alienation must be givento theMinister within 30 days of its occurrence (s. 23).

the protection of québec’s heritagerecognition12

ORDER RESPECTINGHISTORIC OR NATURALDISTRICTSnature and scopeThe declaration of a historic or natural district is anexceptional legal protection measure to which theQuébec government may resort to identify andprotect a territory, by order, on the recommenda-tion of the Minister of Culture, Communicationsand the Status of Women, who obtains the adviceof the Commission des biens culturels du Québec.To date, 13 territories have been designated dis-tricts because of the concentration of historicmonuments or sites found there (historic district)or because of the aesthetic, legendary or scenicinterest of its natural setting (natural district).

Notice of the Minister’s recommendation must bepublished in the Gazette officielle du Québec and in anewspaper circulated in the territory contemplatedor, in the absence of any newspaper circulated in theterritory, in a newspaper circulated in the nearestregion, at least 30 days before its submission to thegovernment. During the period referred to, interestedpersons may make representations to the Com-mission des biens culturels du Québec (s. 46).

Should the government adopt an order designating ahistoric or natural district, the order will come intoforce on the date of the publication of the notice ofthe Minister’s recommendation in the Gazette offi-cielle du Québec.

advantages• A historic or natural district is a territory whosepreservation benefits its residents, who live in anoutstanding living environment, and the community,which benefits from economic vitality stemmingfrom the heritage tourism. The preservation of theunique character of each district enables Québecsociety to pass on this heritage to future generations.

the protection of québec’s heritage 13order respecting historic or natural districts

• All historic or natural district is recorded in theRépertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec andmay be recorded in the Canadian Register ofHistoric Places.

• The designation of a historic or natural districtconfers on the owners of immovables situatedthere certain advantages, such as eligibility forthe technical and financial support offered by theministère de la Culture, des Communications etde la Condition féminine under its restorationassistance program. In addition, the departmentoffers a number of programs and projects devotedto the inventorying, safeguarding and develop-ment of heritage elaborated in conjunction withcultural development agreements signed by theMinister and the municipalities concerned.

• The Act authorizes the Minister, once he hassought the advice of the Commission des biensculturels du Québec, to contribute to the mainte-nance, restoration, alteration or transport of propertysituated in a historic or natural district (s. 51 (d)).

• Under certain conditions, immovables situated in ahistoric or natural district may also be eligible forthe programs of other government departmentsand public agencies and for those offered by theCanadian government.

obligationsInside a natural or historic district, no one may,without the permission of the Minister, who obtainsthe advice of the Commission des biens culturels duQuébec:

• divide or subdivide, redivide or parcel out any lot (s. 48);

• change the arrangement, ground plan, destinationor utilization of an immovable (s. 48);

• make any construction, repairs, alteration relatingto the exterior appearance of an immovable (s. 48);

• demolish all or part of the immovable or erect anew construction (s. 48);

• post up a new sign or billboard or alter, replace ordemolish any sign or billboard (s. 49).

the protection of québec’s heritageorder respecting historic or natural districts14


The Minister of Culture, Communications and theStatus of Women may, at the request of a munici-pality and after having obtained the advice of theCommission des biens culturels du Québec, transferto the municipality responsibility for overseeing theprotection of all or part of a historic or natural district,a classified historic site or a protected area bydeclaring all or part of sections 48, 49 and 50inapplicable to make sections 94 and 95 applicableto that district, site or area to the extent he deter-mines (s. 98).

the protection of québec’s heritage 15order respecting historic or natural districts

MUNICIPAL STATUS

DESIGNATION OF HISTORICMONUMENTS

ESTABLISHMENT OFHERITAGE SITES

DESIGNATIONOF HISTORICMONUMENTSnature and scopeDesignation is a legal protection measure applicablepursuant to the Cultural Property Act, whereby amunicipality may, by by-law of the council andafter obtaining the advice of the advisory committee,designate all or part of a historic monument situatedin its territory the conservation of which is in thepublic interest (s. 70). To date, approximately 120Québec municipalities have designated nearly 375historic monuments.

advantages• All designated historic monument is recorded in theRépertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec andmaybe recorded in theCanadianRegisterofHistoricPlaces.

• A municipality may, by by-law of its council, grant theowner of a designated historicmonument any form offinancial or technical assistance to ensure the conser-vation, maintenance, restoration or enhancement ofthismonument (s. 97).

• Moreover, the Act authorizes the Minister, once hehas sought the advice of the Commission des biensculturels du Québec, to contribute to the mainte-nance, restoration, alteration or transport of adesignated historic monument (s. 51 (d)).

• Under certain conditions, designated immovablesmay be eligible for the programs of other govern-ment departments and public agencies and forthose offered by the Canadian government.

obligations• The Act imposes certain minimal obligations on theowner of a designated historic monument, the firstone being to keep it in good condition (s. 79).

• No person may demolish all or part of a designatedhistoric monument, move it or use it as a backingfor a construction without the authorization of thecouncil (s. 81).

• Every person who in any way alters, restores,repairs or changes the exterior appearance of adesignated historic monument must comply withthe conditions relating to the conservation of thecharacteristics of the monument to which thecouncil may subject him. Moreover, no person mayperform any such act without giving at least 45days’ notice to the municipality. Where a municipalpermit is required, the application for the permitstands in lieu of the notice (s. 80).

the protection of québec’s heritage designation of historic monuments

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the protection of québec’s heritageestablishment of heritage sites

ESTABLISHMENT OFHERITAGE SITESnature and scopeThe establishment of a heritage site is a legal pro-tection measure applicable pursuant to the CulturalProperty Act to which a municipality may resort toprotect all or part of its territory where immovablecultural property is situated and where the archi-tectural landscape has aesthetic or historic interest.The heritage site shall be included in a zone identi-fied in the planning program as a zone to be protec-ted (s. 84). To date, 40 Québec municipalities haveestablished over 90 heritage sites.

advantages• All heritage site is recorded in the Répertoire dupatrimoine culturel du Québec and may be recordedin the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

• A municipality may, by by-law of its council, grantthe owner of an immovable situated on a heritagesite any form of financial or technical assistance toensure the conservation, maintenance, restorationor enhancement of this immovable (s. 97).

• The Act authorizes the Minister, once he has soughtthe advice of the Commission des biens culturels duQuébec, to contribute to the maintenance, restora-tion, alteration or transport of a property situatedon a heritage site (s. 51 (d)).

• Under certain conditions, immovables situated on aheritage site may also be eligible for the programsof other government departments and public agen-cies and for those offered by theCanadian government.

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19

obligationsNo person may, without the authorization of themunicipal council, which obtains the advice of itsadvisory committee, demolish all or part of animmovable situated on a heritage site (s. 95).

Every person shall give 45 days’ notice to themunicipality and, if need be, comply with theconditions to which the council may subject him,where on a heritage site that person:

• divides, subdivides, redivides or parcels out land;

• makes a new construction;

• alters, restores or repairs an immovable or in anyway changes its exterior appearance;

• posts up new signs or billboards or alters, replacesor demolishes a sign or billboard (s. 94).

Where amunicipal permit is required, the applicationfor the permit stands in lieu of the notice (s. 94).

the protection of québec’s heritage establishment of heritage sites

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Notice of motionThe by-law designating a historic monument orestablishing a heritage site must be preceded, atleast 60 days before its adoption, by a notice ofmotion valid for 120 days issued by the municipalcouncil. Public notice is given in order to allow allinterested persons to make representations to theadvisory committee (ss. 71, 74, 75, 85, 88, 89).

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PRACTICAL INFORMATIONAND RESOURCES

PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONSAT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL

PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONSAT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL

INFORMATION ON CULTURALPROPERTIES

OTHER HERITAGEPRESERVATION MEASURES

OTHER MEANS OF PRESERVINGOUR HERITAGE

USEFUL TERMS

USEFUL ADDRESSES

PROCESSING OFAPPLICATIONS AT THEPROVINCIAL LEVELsubmission of the applicationAn individual or organization wishing to have classi-fied or recognized a movable or immovable propertyor to have a territory designated a district must do soin writing and indicate the reasons for the request.

The applicationmust provide the following informationamong others:

• the location of the property (address, municipalityand, in the case of an immovable, the lot number,cadastre and registration division);

• the identity, address and telephone number of theowner;

• photographs of the exterior, interior and surroun-dings;

• a description of the property (dimensions, shapeand volume, materials, and so on);

• a history of the property (when it was made orbuilt, artist, architect or artisan, origin, use or func-tion, successive owners or occupants, archaeologi-cal research, and so on).

If the application is submitted on behalf of an organi-zation, also include a copy of the resolution adoptedfor this purpose by the board of directors to apply forrecognition or classification.

If an organization or a municipality is supporting theapplication, also include a copy of the letter or reso-lution attesting such support.

Applications in respect of archival groups may bemade using the “Application for legal protection ofarchives” form available from all regional archive centres.

where toaddress the application?Governmental or departmental applications for sta-tus should be submitted to the regional branch of theministère de la Culture, des Communications et de laCondition féminine that serves the territory in whichthe group or property is situated.

The same procedure applies to applications for theauthorizations required pursuant to the CulturalProperty Act and registration in the MCCCF’s assis-tance programs.

the protection of québec’s heritage processing of applications at the provincial level

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(see the addresses and telephone numbers on pages 28 to 30)

examination of theapplicationAn internal committee made up of experts fromdisciplines such as architecture, archaeology, arthistory, ethnology and history examines applica-tions for recognition or classification submitted tothe ministère de la Culture, des Communications etde la Condition féminine. If the MCCCF rejects theapplication, it informs the applicant accordingly inwriting. Some applications require further exami-nation and additional information. Once theresearch and investigation is completed, the com-mittee again examines the application and formu-lates its recommendation as to the advisability ofgranting legal status. If its recommendation isfavourable, it specifies the appropriate legal statusand category of property. The recommendation isthen submitted to the Commission des biens cultu-rels du Québec, which offers its advice, and to theMinister, who makes the final decision.

The committee of experts also makes a recommen-dation concerning the official name of the pro-perty. In the case of an immovable, the place nameis submitted for comment to the Commission desbiens culturels du Québec and to the Commissionde toponymie.

The Commission de toponymie makes official theplace name once the legal status has been granted.

The processing of an application for legal status takestime and the Act makes provision for certain timelimits. Given the importance of the process, theapproach has the advantage of ensuring the mostenlightened decision-making possible and allowingthe main concerned parties to express their view-points.

criteria for grantinglegal statusA number of criteria may be used to determine theadvisability of granting legal status pursuant to theCultural Property Act. Such criteria are not absolute.For example, a building is not eligible for classificationor recognition simply because it is 100 years old.Several factors come into play.

The criteria and the names given to them change overtime and reflect the values and concerns of society atthe time that legal status is granted. It should benoted that the notion of heritage value or interest ischanging constantly, bearing in mind its subjectivenature and the influence in this field of major interna-tional schools of thought.

the protection of québec’s heritageprocessing of applications at the provincial level

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The evaluation criteria adopted also stem from thenature of the property examined. They focus onthe cultural property itself (its intrinsic value) andon its context (its extrinsic value). Among the keycriteria that the ministère de la Culture, desCommunications et de la Condition féminine andthe Commission des biens culturels du Québec mayconsider, mention should be made of:

• the property’s relative rarity or its representa-tiveness at the local or provincial level;

• the artistic or architectural merit;

• the historic, archaeological or ethnological interest;

• the scientific or technological interest;

• the symbolic value;

• the state of physical preservation and degree ofauthenticity;

• the property’s relationship to its surroundings andthe quality of such surroundings;

• the more or less imminent threat posed by itsalteration or disappearance;

• the community’swillingness to oversee the property;

• the value that Québec society ascribes to theproperty.

PROCESSING OFAPPLICATIONS AT THEMUNICIPAL LEVELEach municipality must specify the rules and condi-tions governing the submission of applications andthe criteria and procedures respecting the examinationof applications.

An individual or organization wishing to submit anapplication in respect of the designation of a historicmonument or the establishment of a heritage sitemust contact the municipality concerned. Requestsfor information and applications for protection,authorization, and financial or technical assistancemay be submitted to the secretary-treasurer or anyother municipal officer designated by the municipality.

the protection of québec’s heritage processing of applications at the municipal level

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INFORMATION ONCULTURAL PROPERTIESThe ministère de la Culture, des Communications etde la Condition féminine maintains a register inwhichmust be entered all cultural property recognizedor classified in accordance with the CulturalProperty Act (s. 11). The register includes, amongother things, a description of each recognized orclassified cultural property, the name of its owner orof the custodian at the time of granting of legal status,mention of the deeds of transfer made respecting itsince it was entered (s. 12). Any interested personmay obtain certified extracts from the register onpayment of the $1 fee set by the government(s. 13). However, in the case of movable properties,no certified extract may be issued without thewritten consent of the owner.

The MCCCF also keeps up to date the Répertoire dupatrimoine culturel du Québec, available on theInternet (www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca).In addition to the properties recorded in the register,the directory lists historic or natural districts andcultural properties whose legal status has beengranted by the municipalities. It offers a wealth ofinformation on Québec’s cultural heritage.

In addition to the register of recognized and classifiedcultural property and the Répertoire du patrimoineculturel du Québec, the ministère de la Culture, desCommunications et de la Condition féminine maintainsthe Inventaire des sites archéologiques du Québec.The inventory has been placed in a computerizeddatabank that contains information on all archaeologicalsites known to date and documentation pertaining tothe annual reports submitted in conjunction witharchaeological research permits (s. 39). The sectiondevoted to archaeology on the MCCCF Website(www.mcccf.gouv.qc.ca/archeo) provides additionalinformation on the topic.

the protection of québec’s heritageinformation on cultural properties

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OTHER HERITAGEPRESERVATIONMEASURESHeritage protection cannot be ensured solely bygranting legal status to selected sites and objects.The Cultural Property Act makes provision forother measures, in particular the protection ofarchaeological sites. It should be noted that no personmay make archaeological excavations withouthaving previously obtained an archaeologicalresearch permit from the Minister (s. 35).Moreover, whoever discovers an archaeologicalproperty or site, whether during excavations,accidentally or during work carried out on land,must inform the Minister of it without delay(ss. 40 and 41). Visit the MCCCF Website(www.mcccf.gouv.qc.ca/archeo) to find outmore about Québec’s archaeological heritage.

Other provincial and federal statutes make it possibleto intervene to safeguard and preserve Québec’sheritage. Mention should be made, in particular, ofthe Environment Quality Act (R.S.Q., c. Q-2), theNaturalHeritageConservationAct (R.S.Q., c.C-61.01),

the Parks Act (R.S.Q., c. P-9), the Act respecting thepreservation of agricultural land and agriculturalactivities (R.S.Q., c. P-41.1) and the CulturalProperty Export and Import Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-51).Section 5.6 of the Act respecting land use planningand development (R.S.Q., c. A-19.1) compel regionalcounty municipalities (RCMs) to identify any part ofthe territory that is of historical, cultural, aesthetic orecological interest.

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the protection of québec’s heritagele classement26

OTHER MEANSOF PRESERVINGOUR HERITAGEThe recollection of individuals, events, places or phe-nomena that have left their mark on Québec’s historycan be evoked through means of commemorationother than the granting of legal status such as memorialplaques and monuments, interpretation panels, topo-nymy, holidays and ceremonies, and publications.

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the protection of québec’s heritage useful terms

Archaeological property

Property indicating prehistoricor historic human occupation.

Archaeological site

A place where archaeologicalproperty is found.

Cultural property

Awork of art, a historic property,a historic monument or site, anarchaeological property or siteor a cinematographic, audiovisual,photographic, radio or televisionwork.

Historic district

A territory designated as suchby the Government because ofthe concentration of historicmonuments or sites found there.

Historic monument

An immovable which has historicinterest because of its use orarchitecture.

Historic property

Any manuscript, printed item,audio-visual document or man-made object whose conservationis of historic interest, excludingan immovable.

Historic site

A place where events haveoccurred marking the history ofQuébec or an area containinghistoric properties or monu-ments.

Natural district

A territory designated as suchby the Government becauseof the aesthetic, legendaryor scenic interest of itsnatural setting.

Protected area

An area surrounding a classifiedhistoric monument whoseperimeter is determinedby the Minister.

Work of art

A movable or immovableproperty whose conservationis from an aesthetic pointof view in the public interest.

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USEFUL TERMS(defined in s. 1 of the Cultural Property Act)

ministère de la culture,des communications et dela condition fémininewww.mcccf.gouv.qc.ca

Direction du patrimoine et de la muséologie225, Grande Allée Est, 4e étage, bloc BQuébec (Québec) G1R 5G5Telephone: 418 380-2352

Direction du Bas-Saint-Laurent (01)337, rue MoreaultRimouski (Québec) G5L 1P4Telephone: 418 727-3650

Direction du Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean (02)202, rue Jacques-Cartier EstChicoutimi (Québec) G7H 6R8Telephone: 418 698-3500

Direction de la Capitale-Nationale (03)225, Grande Allée EstRez-de-chaussée, bloc CQuébec (Québec) G1R 5G5Telephone: 418 380-2346

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USEFUL ADDRESSES

the protection of québec’s heritage le classement

Direction de la Mauricie (04)100, rue Laviolette, bureau 315Trois-Rivières (Québec) G9A 5S9Telephone: 819 371-6001

Direction de l’Estrie (05)225, rue Frontenac, bureau 410Sherbrooke (Québec) J1H 1K1Telephone: 819 820-3007

Direction de Montréal (06)480, boulevard Saint-LaurentBureau 600Montréal (Québec) H2Y 3Y7Telephone: 514 873-2255

Direction de l’Outaouais (07)170, rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville4e étage, bureau 4.140Gatineau (Québec) J8X 4C2Telephone: 819 772-3002

Direction de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (08)19, rue Perreault Ouest, bureau 450Rouyn-Noranda (Québec) J9X 6N5Telephone: 819 763-3517

Direction de la Côte-Nord (09)625, boulevard LaflècheBureau 1.806Baie-Comeau (Québec) G5C 1C5Telephone: 418 295-4979

Direction du Nord-du-Québec (10)19, rue Perreault Ouest, bureau 450Rouyn-Noranda (Québec) J9X 6N5Telephone: 819 763-3517

Direction de Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine (11)146, avenue de Grand-PréBonaventure (Québec) G0C 1E0Telephone: 418 534-4431

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Direction de Chaudière-Appalaches (12)6210, rue Saint-LaurentLévis (Québec) G6V 3P4Telephone: 418 838-9886

Direction de Laval (13), de Lanaudière (14),des Laurentides (15)300, rue Sicard, bureau 200Sainte-Thérèse (Québec) J7E 3X5Telephone: 450 430-3737

Direction de la Montérégie (16)2, boulevard Desaulniers, bureau 500Saint-Lambert (Québec) J4P 1L2Telephone: 450 671-1231

Direction du Centre-du-Québec (17)100, rue Laviolette, bureau 315Trois-Rivières (Québec) G9A 5S9Telephone: 819 371-6001

commission des biensculturels du québecwww.cbcq.gouv.qc.ca

225, Grande Allée EstRez-de-chaussée, bloc AQuébec (Québec) G1R 5G5Telephone: 418 643-8378

répertoire du patrimoineculturel du québecwww.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca

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This brochure is published for information purposes onlyand has no legal value. To obtain additional information,please refer to the Cultural Property ActCultural Property Act and its regulations, available on the Publications du Québec Website(www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca).

the protection of quÉbec’s the cultural property act …

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