Related Programs
Successful main street initiatives draw and build upon partnerships, from the vitally important networks of local volunteers and business to a series of provincial and federal preservation and community development programs. The following programs support and extend the impact of local main street projects:
Canada’s Historic Places Initiative is a partnership of federal, provincial and territorial governments providing a national framework for the preservation of Canada’s built heritage. It consists of a grant program and several conservation tools. The Canadian Register of Historic Places is a nationwide listing of historic places that are formally recognized and documented by a provincial or territorial authority. The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places is a comprehensive Canadian guide for heritage conservation projects that has been officially adopted by the Province of Alberta. The Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund (CHPIF) offers funding to taxable Canadian corporations towards the conservation of certain commercial heritage buildings.
The Heritage Preservation Partnership Program is a lottery-funded program of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation that offers a wide range of matching grants, along with technical and professional assistance, for heritage initiatives such as the restoration of historic structures, the production of historical interpretive markers, and the publishing of books and brochures about Alberta’s history.
The Municipal Heritage Partnership Program is a new preservation program of Alberta Community Development’s Heritage Resource Management Branch that supports municipal participation in Canada’s Historic Places Initiative. This program provides advisory services, new preservation tools, and a series of cost-shared funding programs that are integrated into other provincial and federal programs. It enables municipalities to:
- Identify historic places through a survey and inventory process
- Protect significant places through municipal designation and other means
- Access provincial and federal conservation incentive programs
- Develop municipal conservation incentive programs
- Apply Canada’s conservation standards and guidelines to alterations and treatments for historic places
- Promote public awareness of community heritage
Doors Open Alberta is a heritage tourism initiative led by the Heritage Community Foundation that engages communities in the interpretation of architectural heritage. Between April and October, communities participating in this province-wide program host one or two-day events such as free tours of architecturally interesting buildings and places. Doors Open Alberta is an outstanding opportunity for communities to showcase their main streets and other local heritage.
Preservation Advisor Gary Chen presents a Historic Resource Designation plaque for Ponoka’s Algar Building.
The Alberta Main Street Program is based on a close partnership with municipalities and Alberta’s Municipal Heritage Partnership Program.