Take Action on Heritage

Some Heritage Buildings on Parliament Street Could Be Threatened!

DID YOU KNOW THAT PARLIAMENT STREET IS NOT DESIGNATED?

(Note: A building can be designated, which gives it protection. A building can also be listed, which declares an intention to designate - but the building is not designated.)

You likely know that most of Cabbagetown is part of a heritage conservation district (HCD). This designation gives our neighbourhood a high level of protection.

However, Parliament Street is NOT covered by an HCD.

There are only two "designated" buildings on Parliament Street:

  • 531 Parliament (the Winchester Hotel), and
  • 509 Parliament (currently the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre and School)

Several other buildings are "listed," which means that the City has put them on an inventory with the intention to designate them. These buildings are:

  • 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572, 574, 576, 578, 580, 582 Parliament (north of Prospect Street, west side)
  • 583 Parliament (north of Amelia, east side), and 2, 4, 8 Amelia
  • 502, 504, 506, 508 Parliament (row just south of the LCBO).

In 2022, the Provincial Government passed the More Homes Built Faster Act (Bill 23). Although all efforts possible should be made to deal with the current housing crisis, it should not be done to the detriment of our history and our heritage. Bill 23 contains and amendment to the Ontario Heritage Act that would remove any heritage property listed unless the City has given notice of its intention to designate the property under the Act by January 1, 2025.

This is an enormous endeavour, considering that there are 10,000 properties listed in Toronto. It is therefore unlikely that the listed buildings on Parliament Street would meet the provincial deadline. It means that listed properties will lose the little protection they currently have and could be threatened in the near future.

We would urge you to send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Municipal affairs and Housing to oppose this section of Bill 23. To make it easy, we prepared a draft letter below. It also contains addresses and CCs.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DRAFT LETTER:  form letter bill 23 final for sharing