Dear Heritage Supporter, The National Trust of Canada is asking for help to promote Bill C-323 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Rehabilitation of Historic Property) – which proposes to create tax credits for historic places. This Bill presents an historic opportunity to tell elected officials from every political party that Canada’s historic places matter, and that federal actions can help save and renew them. What you can do: Write to your MP and to the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment, who is responsible for historic places in Canada (addresses in the attached link). Here is a template letter to cut and paste, or write your own: Dear Minster McKenna, I am writing to express support for the Private Member’s Bill C-323, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Rehabilitation of Historic Property) tabled on December 1, 2016. The measures included in Bill C-323 are inspired by the successful, long-running US Federal Historic Tax Credit Program. This program has seen $23.1 billion in federal credits generate more than $28.1 billion in additional federal tax revenue and leverage over $120.8 billion in private investment – a 5 to 1 ratio of private investment to tax credits. Funded projects have in turn created 2.4 million jobs, preserved 41,254 historic properties, and created over 525,000 housing units, including 27% for low/moderate income families. In Canada, the measures included in Bill C-323 have the potential to achieve the same success, broadly affecting homeowners and the development/construction industry, and positively impacting the economy, job creation and carbon reduction. In particular, the 20% tax credit on eligible costs for rehabilitation work done to designated historic places (commercial & owner-occupied residential) and the accelerated Capital Cost Allowance will help make retention of our historic places more affordable. I am a resident of Vancouver. On average, the City of Vancouver issues 1000 demolition permits annually, most for single family homes, many enduring pre-1940s homes. We desperately need laws in place that will make it more financially viable for Canadians to retain our more sustainable, more affordable original housing stock. Bill C-323 would make a significant difference. I urge you to support the measures included in it. Sincerely,