Whereas the Province of Ontario identifies the conservation of features of significant cultural and historical value as a matter of Provincial interest, and Provincial policy directs municipalities to conserve significant cultural heritage resources;
And Whereas the Ontario Heritage Act governs the processes by which cultural heritage resources are protected for the long-term, requires municipalities to maintain a Municipal Register, and empowers municipalities to designate by by-law properties having cultural heritage value or interest to fulfill the intent of the Province’s mandate;
And Whereas the Insurance Bureau of Canada recognizes the value of owning and preserving cultural heritage resources as part of Canada’s history;
And Whereas there appears to be misalignment and misconception between the requirements of designated heritage property owners under the Ontario Heritage Act, regulations governing insurance providers, and the policies and practices thereof as they relate to the replacement cost of designated heritage homes with materials and craftsmanship of like kind and quality;
And Whereas this potential misalignment or misconception of such replacement requirements by insurance providers creates a situation where some homeowners of designated heritage properties have indicated they have difficulty obtaining suitable property insurance coverage at a reasonable cost in order to continue as stewards of our communities’ significant cultural heritage resources, which often are private residences;
And Whereas the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Minister of Finance through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario administers rules and regulations governing property insurance matters;
Now therefore be it resolved:
That the Municipality of Clarington requests the Minister of Heritage, Tourism, Sport, and Cultural Industries to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Minister of Finance and the Insurance Bureau of Canada to initiate a review to address and ensure alignment between the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act, the regulations governing insurance providers, and the policies and practices thereof, in order to better support, rather than penalize, owners of designated heritage properties, who act as stewards of the Province’s significant cultural heritage resources throughout communities across Ontario; and
That as a part of the Province’s actions to address this matter, municipal heritage committees be invited to engage as stakeholders; and
That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Lindsey Park, MPP (Durham), David Piccini, MPP (Northumberland-Peterborough South); and
That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.