Ontario Heritage Policy Review, Ontario Ministry of Culture (1987-1990)

In 1990, I was a member of a team that established the Ontario Heritage Policy. This was a “whole of government” policy framework relevant to and implemented in all Ontario ministries. The Policy embraced a large vision of heritage that is natural and cultural, tangible and intangible. Heritage is not about the past but about the continuity that connects past present and future. It was a vision of heritage essential to both ecological survival and the cultural diversity.

The policy framework defined heritage resources – moveable (collections of all kinds) immoveable or land based (structures, landscapes, districts) and intangible (stories, values, customs). It also defined heritage conservation as an integrated process to identify, preserve, interpret and sustainable use heritage resources to advance policy objectives across government. David Silcox, the longest serving Deputy Minister of Culture in Ontario called the Ontario Heritage Policy “the most consequential achievement of my tenure as Deputy Minister”. This from not only a great civil servant but also author of the definitive work on David Milne.

The “Strategy for Conserving Ontario’s Heritage” can be accessed here.

The “Vision For Heritage” can be accessed here.

Heritage (2011) album cover by Swedish band Opeth