Bill C-23 will remove heritage status from a large number of historic buildings in St. Catharines, including 100 in the downtown core. A blanket heritage conservation district has been proposed as a replacement, but the GNCC opposes this measure owing to increased costs and regulatory burdens. 

While the GNCC supports the preservation of our history, heritage designations inarguably come with increased costs. Ontario studies show that the offered interest rates for financing heritage building projects are typically double that for recent builds. Additionally, 61% of heritage property owners surveyed by the National Trust for Canada reported difficulty obtaining insurance coverage. 55% of insurance coverage rejections cited the heritage status as the reason. The cost difference between heritage rehabilitation and new construction projects in Ontario is 8% for medium-sized commercial projects, and 15% for small ones. 

Given that downtown businesses are currently struggling with many other issues, including social problems leading to decreased foot traffic and increased crime, strong online competition, supply chain interruptions and pressure from tariffs and trade disputes, the GNCC can’t support any measure that would add to the costs of downtown businesses at this time. 

The GNCC recommends that heritage designations be voluntary for property-owners, and the City of St. Catharines support the preservation and reservation of historic buildings through incentives to offset the increased cost. 

2025 (concluded)