The federal heritage buildings review office is managed out of Parks Canada. It's targeted to look at federal properties. Everything that is federally owned comes, after an age threshold of 40 years, to FHBRO for an assessment, an evaluation of the heritage character of the property. Then it goes through an evaluation process. A recommendation is made to the minister responsible for Parks Canada that the building is of heritage character or it is not proposed to be designated. The minister responsible for Parks Canada will designate the building.
A building can be designated under two levels. It can be recognized or classified. Classified buildings are the jewels of Canada, like the buildings here on the Hill. If a building is designated, then there are some elements of scrutiny that must be applied to them. We will look at the interventions that are done on those buildings to make sure that they are appropriate and compatible. It's either Parks Canada for classified buildings or the other departments responsible for their own federal heritage buildings. A building that is federally designated cannot be disposed of without coming to Parks Canada for a proper best-efforts review.