Hello Friends,

We have had dozens of emails from supporters this morning regarding the letter that was sent out by Parks Canada yesterday (text of the letter below). It appears that anyone who contacted the Minister of Canadian Heritage over the last few months has received this as a reply.

The letter is encouraging, and we will be speaking with both federal and provincial representatives this afternoon to discuss the pathways suggested in this letter - I will send a further update when we have more information.

Dan T. and the #keepkeewatinhome team

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Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for your correspondence of DATE, 2021 regarding your interest in ensuring that the SS Keewatin remain in its current location of Port McNicoll, Ontario. Your emails were forwarded to Parks Canada by the office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Parks Canada is responsible for the National Program of Historical
Commemoration, and serves as the Secretariat to the Historic Sites and
Monuments Board of Canada. National historic designations under this program are honorific in nature and do not confer protection. Additional information on the designation process and criteria for the National Program of Historical Commemoration is available on the Parks Canada website: www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application
In Canada, protection of heritage property not owned by the federal government is the responsibility of each provincial and territorial government under its respective legislation. I would encourage you to continue to communicate directly with officials at the municipal and provincial level regarding your interest in preserving the SS Keewatin in its current location. In addition, I will share your concerns with provincial officials in Ontario’s Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
You may also wish to contact the National Trust for Canada. They are a
charitable, non-profit organization that offer tools to save and renew Canada’s historic places; they also maintain a list of funding sources and opportunities available for heritage projects that may be of interest to you: https://nationaltrustcanada.ca/
The Ontario Heritage Trust is another valuable resource for information
regarding the conservation of heritage in Ontario: https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/
I thank you for your interest in the commemoration and conservation of Canada’s cultural heritage.

Sincerely,
Ashley Campbell
Director, Heritage Designations and Programs Branch
Parks Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc (website)
clmhc-hsmbc@pc.gc.ca (email)
1.855.283.8730 (toll free phone number)
cc. Ms. Barbara Legault, Policy Team Lead, Culture Policy Branch with the Ontario
Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (Barbara.legault@ontario.ca)