The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, helps connect Canadians with our shared history and better understand the present and each other. National historic designations illustrate the defining moments in the story of Canada. Together, they tell the stories of who we are and connect us to our past, enriching our understanding of ourselves, each other, and our country.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the appointment of Mr. Russell Grosse as the Nova Scotia representative for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC).
A native of the historic Nova Scotia multi-generational Black Community of Cherry Brook, Russell Grosse has dedicated his work to honour, celebrate, and share the important Black history as one of the founding cultures in Canada. For over 28 years, he has worked at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, where he has held the role of Executive Director since December 2013. Mr. Grosse has also been executive producer of several community cultural productions and artistic showcases that support the promotion of Black culture and history.
The Framework for History and Commemoration, introduced in 2019, supports the work of Parks Canada and the HSMBC in designating places, persons, and events of national historic significance and encourages new and diverse types of public nominations. The Framework supports this commitment and prioritizes an audience-focused approach that is more inclusive, and presents the diversity of history in Canada.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked history in Canada. Parks Canada supports the Board's work with professional and administrative services, including the conduct of historical and archaeological research needed for evaluating applications.
Together, Parks Canada and the Board ensure that subjects of national historic significance are recognized and these important stories are shared with Canadians.
