Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse Designated under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act
Rising above the cliffs in vivid red, the Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse (Canada) has long been a beacon for mariners and a proud landmark for the community.
On 28 January the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, announced the designation of the Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
The Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse, also known as the La Martre Lighthouse, has been designated as a heritage lighthouse for its historical, architectural, and community significance.
Built in 1906, this striking red octagonal tower stands over 19 metres high on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and is considered a highly distinctive and visual landmark for mariners and visitors alike.
Part of a chain of lighthouses that improved navigation through the St. Lawrence Gulf and River during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse played a key role in supporting international shipping and the local fishing industry. Its distinctive architecture, with classical detailing, panoramic views, and original wood-frame construction, reflects a style common to Canadian lighthouses of the era.
Today, perched atop an 18-metre cliff, the lighthouse continues to attract visitors. The local community acquired the lighthouse in 1982 and since then, has developed exhibits and opened the site to the public, preserving its legacy as both a navigational aid and a cultural treasure.
The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act
With this new designation, 115 lighthouses in eight provinces have now been protected under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. They include some of the country’s most architecturally and historically significant lighthouses, including the Fisgard Lighthouse in British Columbia, the Île du Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse in Quebec, and Point Amour Lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, which are valued symbols of our country’s maritime heritage.
The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act is a law designed to protect lighthouses owned by the federal government that have significant heritage value. The Act protects the heritage character of designated lighthouses and requires that they be reasonably maintained. Subject to certain conditions, heritage lighthouses may be sold or transferred to other levels of government, to not-for-profit community organizations, or to individuals in order to promote new uses and to ensure their long-term protection.
Collaboration with community groups
The Government of Canada continues to work in close collaboration with community groups, Indigenous Peoples, and other levels of government to facilitate the designation of heritage lighthouses and ensure their protection for the benefit and enjoyment for generations to come. Designations under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act are made by the Minister responsible for Parks Canada on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Throughout the 19th century, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River grew in importance to Canada as the “Gateway to North America”. The town of La Martre was established along the route commonly taken by mariners at a point where the St. Lawrence River narrowed dramatically, making it a strategic location for a lighthouse.
Historic Sites and Monuments Board
Established in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister responsible for Parks Canada on the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked Canada’s history.
Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration, and these important stories are shared with Canadians. The Board also provides advice on the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act, the National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers and the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
Text based on material kindly provided by Parks Canada.
Illustration reproduced by kind permission of Parks Canada ©
IALA e-Bulletin Rapporteur: Paul Ridgway