Will the oldest customs post in Canada, the Wilder-Pierce building, be demolished as the municipality of Stanstead wishes? She had cited the building to protect it, due to its historical and architectural significance, but disputes with the building’s owner led her to change her tune. At the Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC), we are worried about this new threat of demolition of a heritage building.
“The Ministry sent a letter to the municipality asking it to consider all alternatives other than the demolition of the Wilder-Pierce building by informing it of the financial aid available and offering it support in the file,” explains the MCC. to To have to.
Money to save the building
Does the MCC intend to intervene between the municipality and the owner of the building in order to ensure the safeguarding of this heritage asset, beyond the disputes between these two entities? “The Ministry has already made it clear to the municipality that demolition was not an option to be advocated. She also mentioned the financial assistance programs currently available for this building covering 40% of eligible costs. »
However, the ministry notes that the owner did not seek its financial assistance. “The Ministry has not, to date, taken any steps with the owner”, preferring instead to take steps with the municipality. “The Department is taking steps with the municipality to offer it financial support and its expertise to think about alternatives to the demolition of the building. »
In fact, the restoration of the building could even be covered up to 75%, “in the event that the municipality of Stanstead or the MRC Memphrémagog signed an agreement with the Ministry for the restoration of built heritage components of the Community Support Program municipal (PSMMPI)”, specifies the MCC.
Quebec law invites public authorities to be exemplary in heritage conservation. Has the MCC had the opportunity to remind the relevant municipality of this legal requirement? “In July 2022, the Department met with the municipality to bring it to find new solutions to the file and to provide it with a portrait of the various financial assistance programs. The Ministry once again offered its support with a view to requalifying the building. For the moment, no demolition notice has been issued, even if the municipality has clearly indicated, before the courts, its intention to raze this building built around 1812.
At the time, the Wilder-Pierce building served first as a store, then as a customs post, in this city. “The Wilder-Pierce building thus occupies an important place in the locality because of the functions it houses and testifies to the prosperity of the latter during the 19th century.e century. Furthermore, it is probably the oldest surviving building used as a customs office in Canada”, indicates the Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory. Born in New Hampshire, the original owner of the building, Wilder Pierce (1788-1866), was one of the most influential notables of Stanstead Plain and the region. He is buried in the local cemetery.
What protection?
Didn’t the recent overhaul of the Cultural Heritage Act promise to better protect important buildings against untimely demolitions? “The legislative amendments made in 2021 aim in particular to add safety catches in order to prevent buildings of heritage interest from being destroyed without the citizens, municipalities, MRCs, the Department and the Minister being informed beforehand. “, indicates the MCC to the To have to. Demolitions are still possible.
For any building built before 1940, the law now stipulates that municipalities are required to send a notice of intent or an authorization to demolish to the Minister of Culture and Communications. This must be done at least 90 days before such permit is issued. Does this mean that Quebec is ready to intervene to prevent this demolition, for example by classifying the building under its own authority? To do this, any citizen would have to make a request to save the building. Laconic, the ministry indicates that it “has not received a classification proposal for the Wilder-Pierce building”.