Government of Canada Appoints Three Outstanding Canadians to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada

OTTAWA, June 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced the appointment of three distinguished Canadians to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC):  

• Lisa Prosper, from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, is a scholar and public speaker, presenting and publishing nationally and internationally on cultural landscape theory and practice, notably relating to Indigenous cultural heritage. Ms. Prosper's appointment was effective March 26, 2018.
• Timothy Christian, from North Saanich, British Columbia, is a Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta. He has published and practiced extensively in the fields of constitutional, administrative and labour law, and has decades of experience in mediation, facilitation and negotiation at the provincial and federal levels. Mr. Christian's appointment was effective May 19, 2018.
• Bernard Thériault, from Caraquet, New Brunswick, represented the Caraquet region as Member of Provincial Parliament from 1987 to 2000. Now a retired public servant, Mr. Thériault served the New Brunswick government for over twenty five years, including ten years spent as an historian and curator in its heritage branch.  Mr. Thériault's appointment is effective June 13, 2018.

The members will be part of the Board which is comprised of a representative from each province and territory, as well as the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, an officer of the Canadian Museum of History, and an officer of the Parks Canada Agency.

Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have contributed to Canada's history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized and these important stories are shared with Canadians.

To date, based on recommendations from the Board, the Government of Canada has designated over 2,000 national historic sites, events and persons. Each of these designations contributes its own unique story to the greater story of Canada, and helps us better understand our country and our identity.

Quote

"The Government is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places and events that have shaped our country's rich and varied history. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Canada's diverse heritage is remembered and better understood, now and for future generations. With their knowledge and passion for history, these three distinguished Canadians will become valuable members of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is committed to an open, transparent and merit-based process for selecting Governor in Council appointees, to encourage continued trust in Canada's democracy and ensure the integrity of its public institutions. The selection process reflects the fundamental role that Governor in Council appointees play in our democracy as they serve on commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies, and tribunals across the country.
• The Board will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019.
• In addition to making recommendations regarding designations of national historic significance, the Board also provides advice on Heritage Railway Stations, grave sites of Canadian Prime Ministers, and Heritage Lighthouses.

Associated Document

Backgrounder
New Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Members

Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people, and events that have marked Canada's history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that these subjects of national historic significance are recognized appropriately and shared with Canadians and visitors alike.

On May 24th, 2018, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced the appointment of three distinguished Canadians to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC):

Lisa Prosper, Northwest Territories

Ms. Lisa Prosper is a cultural heritage consultant who specializes in the commemoration and conservation of Indigenous and cultural landscape heritage as well as the development of heritage policy. She holds degrees in Art History and Heritage Conservation. From 2012 to 2015, she was the Director of the Willowbank Centre in Queenston, Ontario. In 2017, she served as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the updating of Canada's tentative list for World Heritage nominations. Ms. Prosper is currently a board member of the Canadian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and a member of ICOMOS' International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes. She regularly presents at national and international forums on heritage theory and practice.

Timothy Christian, British Columbia

Mr. Timothy Christian is Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in History from the University of Alberta as well as a Master of Law degree from the University of Cambridge. As Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta, he created the Indigenous Law Students Program to encourage the recruitment of Indigenous law students. He has published extensively in the fields of constitutional, administrative, and labour law, and has decades of experience in mediation, facilitation, and negotiation at the provincial and federal levels, including as Chief Federal Negotiator, negotiating settlements between First Nations, provincial governments, and the Government of Canada. In 2011, he retired from the practice of law and his work as a federal negotiator and now devotes his time to historical research and writing.

Bernard Thériault, New Brunswick

Mr. Bernard Thériault is a historian, researcher, writer, and commenter. He has been retired from the New Brunswick public service since 2010, where he was the Director General for the Premier's Cabinet. He also served as Director for Aboriginal Fisheries, Gulf Region, for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. From 1987 until 2000, Mr. Thériault served as the member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the Caraquet riding. During this time, he served as the Minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Aboriginal Affairs, as well as acting Minister of Education. He began his career as a historian, head conservator, and Director of programs at the Village historique acadien, in Caraquet. He grew up in Caraquet and continues to live there today.

Related Links

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada 
Parks Canada 
Current and ongoing Governor in Council appointments

SOURCE Parks Canada