Vancouver is improving its heritage register to better reflect reconciliation and various cultures.

The criteria of the register mainly prioritized Eurocentric design and history since its implementation in 1986, but will now extend beyond the physical, architectural elements to consider intangible heritage elements associated with a place, such as: cultural traditions, ways of life, memories and lived experiences; a person, community, and/or organization; and certain design, materials, and technology.

This follows Council’s direction to add new buildings to the register and make it easier to recognize and preserve a wider range of cultural and historical assets. The changes are promised to offer clarity to developers, property owners and the public and streamline permitting processes.

The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, working collaboratively with the city to develop a Truth-Telling Statement and land acknowledgement.

These additions recognize how the register has historically contributed to the erasure of Indigenous history and affirms the city’s ongoing commitment to working with the Nations in the development of new, culturally appropriate tools to identify, steward and share Indigenous cultural heritage.