Voice Your Support! Federal Incentives for the Rehabilitation of Canada's Historic Places
Update from the National Trust of Canada -
Thanks to your efforts and the letters written by many heritage supporters, MPs voted in the House of Commons today, March 23, 2017 to send Bill C-323 to theStanding Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development – an important step in making tax incentives a reality!
Take a moment to savour this historic milestone in the 40 year campaign to achieve tax incentives for historic places in Canada.
We urge you to thank your MP for voting YES. Find out here how your MP voted.
Where are we in the process?
Second Reading Vote to Send to Committee
Passed, Thursday, March 23
Committee Stage
The Committee has up to 60 sitting days to consider it, make any amendments, and bring it back to Parliament.
Report Stage Reading (Back to House of Commons)
There will be debate (two one-hour sessions) and voting on 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 passing, Royal Assent, and becomes law.
Considering there are only between 33 and 44 sitting days left in the Parliamentary Calendar before the summer break, we are unsure if how far the Bill will proceed this spring.What’s next? We still have work to do! Your continued support will be needed to ensure that members of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development are aware that Canadian communities need the measures proposed in Bill C-323.
Update March 17 – House of Commons to vote on Bill C-323 on Thursday, March 23. Vote will either kill Bill or send it to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development for further discussion. It’s not too late to contact your local MP!
Update March 2 – Second hour of House of Commons debate on Heritage Tax Bill C-323 may be set for Thursday, March 9. Vote to kill bill or to send committee – March 22.
Update Feb. 13 – First hour of debate on Heritage Tax Bill C-323 took place in House of Commons
Bill C-323 includes the creation of:
- A 20% tax credit on eligible costs of rehabilitation work done to designated historic places (commercial & owner-occupied residential); and
- An accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (25%/50%/25%) for eligible capitalized costs incurred under the same conditions of the tax credit (commercial only)
These two tax measures would transform the economic fundamentals for renewing historic places. In the process would create more skilled jobs and generate less carbon and new construction.
You’ll find information about Bill C-323 and background materials to help you take action below.
1. Write to your MP, or ask for a meeting, or both! Point to historic places in your riding that need this kind of financial measure – especially those at risk!
Here is a link to find your MP by postal code: https://goo.gl/Yt9R9q
2. Write a letter to the Minister of the Environment, who is responsible for built heritage in Canada. A real letter is much more effective than an e-mail!
The Honourable Catherine McKenna MP
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
200 Sacre-Coeur Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
http://ec.ministre-minister.ec@canada.ca
If you would like to learn more about the proposed measure please do not hesitate to contact us at our Heritage Winnipeg offices:
Office: 204-942-2663
Email: http://info@heritagewinnipeg.com
Full text of Bill C-323:
https://goo.gl/nkQQMy
National Trust for Canada Webpage:
https://goo.gl/nuyX06
