Island Heritage Study - Submitting a Written Response

From the Island Heritage Study Blog

If you wish to provide your feedback on in writing, please send your comments, along with your name, the name of the organization you represent if applicable, and your contact information to:

Island Heritage Study, c/o The IRIS Group

P.O. Box 21150,

Charlottetown, PE

C1A 9H6

or by e-mail to yvette@theIRISgroup.ca

Key Questions/Issues: Heritage Study

From the Island Heritage Study Blog

The key questions related to the public consultations across the province have been posted on their blog by The Iris Group.

The consultant firm was recently hired to undertake a heritage study for the Province of PEI.

Key Questions/Issues:

1) Is heritage important to PEI? Why or why not?

2) What do you consider to be the main strengths and assets of the Island’s heritage resources, institutions, organizations and programs?

3) What do you consider to be the major gaps or weaknesses in the Island’s heritage resources institutions, organizations and programs?

4) What should PEI be doing to build on its heritage assets and address any existing weaknesses/gaps?

5) What is your vision for a healthy and dynamic future for the heritage in PEI?

6) What role do you think the Government of PEI should play in helping to achieve this vision?

Dates of Public Meetings Announced - Heritage Study

From the Island Heritage Study Blog

The dates of the public consultations across the province were recently announced by The Iris Group, consultants hired to undertake a Heritage Study for the Province of PEI.

Making a Presentation in Person

Those wishing to share their thoughts on the key questions/issues in person are invited to attend one of the public meetings listed on the attached schedule.

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS

Meetings run from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Feb. 4^th– O’Leary, Future Tech West, Main St. (storm date Feb. 6^th)

Feb. 5^th – Souris, Access PEI (storm date Feb. 6^th)

Feb. 11^th – Hunter River, Lion’s Club, Rennie’s Rd. (storm date Feb. 13^th)

Feb. 13^th – Miscouche (in French), Le Musee Acadien (storm date Feb. 14^th)

Feb. 19^th – Summerside, Eptek Centre (storm date Feb. 25th)

Feb. 20^th – Montague, Church of Christ Hall, Main St. (storm date Feb. 25^th)

Feb. 21st – Charlottetown, Charlottetown Hotel (storm date Feb. 25th)

The Iris Group launches new blog

The Iris Group has launched a new blog related to their study on PEI heritage issues. The blog will help Islanders participate in the study, and give detail on upcoming public sessions across the province.

The future of the Dominion Building

EDITORIAL as published in The Guardian - Jan 23, 2008

Now that federal employees have moved from this structure, the debate about its future can become more concrete.
Charlottetown residents who have an interest in what becomes of the Dominion Building should make a point of attending today's open house at the Confederation Centre's Memorial Hall. That's where they can view potential redevelopment suggestions and ask questions about them.

For years, capital city officials and residents have been discussing the Dominion Building on lower Queen Street and what should become of it once federal employees there moved to their new building on University Avenue. Suggestions have included everything from converting it into a condominium complex, a hotel or apartments to using it as a provincial heritage home or tearing the property down and making it available for much-needed parking space in the city core.

Now that employees have actually moved to their new workplace, those discussions have become more concrete. The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the Canada Lands Company, the current owners of the site, are sponsoring today's open house to encourage the public to become more familiar with the redevelopment options. What's noteworthy about this open house is its structure. It's not a one-shot session. It's a drop-in format featuring displays of the options, an opportunity to ask questions of Canada Lands personnel and project consultants, and short presentations at specific times - 12:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

When it comes to accommodating the public, it doesn't get any better than that. Most people interested in the future of this building should be able to get to one of these presentation times if they want to.

The Dominion Building has a unique place on the streetscape of the capital city. It's not particularly pretty, but the old gray edifice is typical of the kind of building erected in the post-Second World War years. It's part of the capital city's built history. As well, for generations of Charlottetown residents who've crossed its threshold, the Dominion Building also houses many memories. The structure once served as a post office and housed many public services right up until employees made their move to the new building beginning late last year.

It's fitting that the future of this building be given thorough community discussion. Whatever option is chosen, it should have the support of the Charlottetown community and ideally should reflect what the community needs. Today's open house is an opportunity for people to take part in that process.

HERITAGE STUDY WILL SEEK INPUT FROM ISLANDERS

As released by the Province of PEI Tuesday, January 22, 2008

For immediate release

aussi disponible en français

HERITAGE STUDY WILL SEEK INPUT FROM ISLANDERS

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI

Islanders are going to be given the opportunity to participate in a new study designed to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges facing heritage in Prince Edward Island. Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour announced today that the Iris Group of Stratford has been selected as the consultant to conduct a comprehensive study and make recommendations to address needs in the heritage sector.

Minister Bertram expressed her hopes that Islanders would take advantage of the opportunities for public participation and provide input into the study. “This is the first overall look at our local heritage for several decades, and I want Islanders to let us know what they think is important to protect and preserve in the province,” she said. “We all value our heritage but we need to establish priorities for action which reflect the desires and needs of Islanders.”

The Minister said previous studies focussed on specific institutions or initiatives but an overall comprehensive review is long overdue. “This study will look at a wide range of heritage issues,” she said. “It will look at our tangible heritage: artifacts, buildings and cultural landscapes. It will look at our natural heritage associated with landforms, plants and animals. Finally, it will look at our intangible heritage including folklore, customs, music and language.”

The Iris Group will be holding public meetings across the Island in O’Leary, the Evangeline area, Summerside, Hunter River, Charlottetown, Montague and Souris. The study will also include meetings with stakeholder and focus groups, and about 25 interviews with key individuals in the heritage sector. An opportunity for additional public input will be provided through creation of an online forum or “blog” so that the public can engage in an open discussion of heritage issues.

Complete details on public forums and online participation opportunities will be announced in the near future by the Iris Group. Study results, including recommendations for action, are expected to be presented to government early in June 2008.

- 30 -

Media Contact: Connie McNeill

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR COMPREHENSIVE HERITAGE STUDY

A request for proposals for a comprehensive heritage study is now underway on PEI.
Details of the RFP are outlined on the Province of PEI procurement website.

1. Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study is to review the heritage sector of the province and to make recommendations to the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour as to the appropriate role to be played by the Government of Prince Edward Island in responding to the needs of the sector.

2. Introduction

The Prince Edward Island Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour is seeking a consultant to undertake a comprehensive heritage study for the province.

The study will be one of the foundations of a heritage strategy which will be developed. The role of government with regard to the heritage of Prince Edward Island has developed over a number of years without a comprehensive framework. Capitalizing on specific initiatives and opportunities, the present institutions, programs and activities of government cover a wide range of heritage areas but lack cohesion and policy foundation. While the province has many institutions, organizations and activities of which it is proud, there are some heritage areas which are not addressed well or, in some cases, not addressed at all. Faced with significant needs for capital development, programing assistance and other heritage activity, the province is seeking to develop a more rational approach to management of heritage and heritage resources in the
province.

For the purpose of this study, “heritage” is defined to include the following:

Tangible cultural heritage - including, but not limited to, artifacts, buildings, cultural landscape and records;

Intangible cultural heritage - including, but not limited to, folklore, language, oral history and customs; and

Natural heritage - the land, sea, air, and flora and fauna of the province.

The Government of Prince Edward Island has a shared responsibility for heritage. It shares obligations with other levels of government and discharges some of its responsibilities in partnership with voluntary organizations. It operates heritage institutions itself and through arms-length crown agencies. It provides support for specific initiatives, as well as assistance directly and indirectly to organizations and institutions through such programs as grants, Jobs for Youth and other employment opportunities, and shared cost initiatives. While this study should recognize the role that other players have in the heritage area, the primary thrust of the study is to explore the role that is, can, and should be played by the Government of Prince Edward Island in the management of historic resources.

3. Project Management

A Heritage Study Steering Committee consisting of representatives from a number of province-wide organizations with heritage interests has been appointed to oversee the study. This committee should be considered a resource by the consultant. The groups include:

• Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society
• Community Museums Association of Prince Edward Island
• Prince Edward Island Natural History Society Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation
• Archives Council of Prince Edward Island
• Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.
• Acadian Museum Association of P.E.I.
• University of Prince Edward Island History Department

4. Process Expectations
The consultant is expected to undertake, at a minimum, the following:

• An initial meeting with the Heritage Study steering committee to obtain information and additional direction, as required.

• A comprehensive public consultation process which will afford the opportunity for Islanders to provide input, ideas and discussion related to heritage issues. This will normally include public meetings across the province, opportunities to present briefs or reports by groups or individuals, focus groups, and other participation opportunities. In accordance with provincial policy, an appropriate mechanism or mechanisms must be provided to allow for participation in the process by those whose primary language is French.

• A strategy to notify the public of opportunities to participate in the process.

• A review of recent relevant documentation and legislation concerning heritage in Prince Edward Island and adjacent provinces.

• Meetings with organizations, institutions, heritage professionals and interest groups in the heritage area.

• Identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system of heritage institutions, organizations and programs.

• Identification of gaps in the current system of heritage institutions, organizations and programs.

• Development of recommendations to address issues raised.

For more details see the full document