Saving the past
A stone circle found during a Heritage Resources Impact Assessment (shovel in centre of circle).
resources on both private and provin-
ing the proper steps to protect heri-
cial Crown land and is administered
tage resources may result in regula-
by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Parks,
tory or legal non-compliance, which
Culture and Sport’s (PCS) Heritage
could lead to serious consequences.
Conservation Branch (HCB).
Further negative consequences of
It is important to know the process for compliance with provincial heritage legislation when planning or managing a new development. A first step is to determine if the development is located on heritage-sensitive land by using the PCS developer’s online A CanNorth archaeologist conducting a Heritage Resources Impact Assessment.
screening tool. If the development is located on heritage-sensitive land, the project will need to be submitted
non-compliance with heritage legislation may include project delays, lowered investor and public confidence, potential community backlash, and damage to personal and corporate reputation. Protecting heritage can have a positive impact by connecting people to the past and by providing a sense of belonging, understanding, and wellbeing. In addition to being a legislative requirement, the manage-
There are rich and diverse heritage
to the HCB for further review. If the
resources just below our feet. Heri-
HCB decides that the development
tage resources are non-renewable,
has moderate-to-high potential to
sources helps us to better understand
and each resource is unique and im-
disturb heritage resources, the HCB
who we are and how we got here.
portant. Lost or disturbed heritage
may require that a Heritage Resourc-
resources are a loss for everyone. As
es Impact Assessment be completed
defined by The Heritage Property Act
before any construction starts.
of Saskatchewan, heritage resources
ment and protection of heritage re-
Canada North Environmental Services’ (CanNorth) heritage division has been helping developers and project
The importance of preserving and
managers navigate provincial legisla-
protecting heritage has been ac-
tion since 2011. CanNorth’s archaeolo-
knowledged in the United Nations
gists are qualified and have a proven
tage and structures of architectural
Declaration on the Rights of Indig-
track record of successfully complet-
or historical value, and any site or
enous People, as well as by provin-
ing Heritage Resources Impact As-
property where it is reasonable to
cial heritage groups such as Heritage
sessments throughout Saskatchewan,
suspect that heritage resources may
Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan
Alberta, and Manitoba. CanNorth is
be found. The Act protects heritage
Archaeological Society. Not follow-
based out of Saskatoon and is 100 per
include archaeological or paleontological objects and sites, built heri-
64 PotashWorks 2021