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History & Heritage

There are three components to heritage in the CVRD Electoral Areas: Heritage Designations, the Community Heritage Register and the Community Heritage Candidates.

Heritage Designations

Heritage designation is a legal protection and is mainly intended to record, recognize and commemorate, heritage buildings and properties. Heritage designation is typically reserved for properties that have outstanding merit and are highly representative of a community’s history and heritage.

Described in Part 15 of the Local Government Act (LGA), heritage designation is a legal protection tool for properties of particular value to a community. Heritage Designations can be found in OCP Schedule H – Heritage Designation Map.

In addition to the Heritage Designation located in Schedule H, one river in the CVRD has a National Heritage River designation (the Cowichan River), and one highway has a British Columbia scenic provincial highway designation (the Malahat).

Heritage Designations in the Electoral Areas

Heritage River Designation

The Cowichan River is one of only ten designated heritage rivers in the country, and the third one in BC. Its estuary is recognized as one of the world’s most biologically important areas for fish, waterfowl and wildlife. Yet land and water-based activities have threatened the estuary and its dependent species such as Chinook salmon, shellfish, water birds and eelgrass.

Heritage Scenic Highway Designation

The Malahat Highway is a 25-kilometre stretch of Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) renowned for its scenic views. It serves as the main north-south route connecting Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island.

The Malahat Highway was designated a scenic highway by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, pursuant to the Highways (Scenic Improvement) Act S.B.C. 1968 c. 18, and the designation continues under s. 54 of the Transportation Act.

Community Heritage Register

The CVRD Community Heritage Register, established in 2009, includes a diverse range of properties with notable heritage value.

Community Heritage Candidates

Heritage candidates are sites that have been identified by the community for their potential heritage value and potential inclusion in the Community Heritage Register.

Community Heritage Register Nomination Procedures and Forms.

Land Acknowledgement
The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.