Council introduces motion to aid heritage building owners

ERIN  – Councillor John Brennan put forth a motion at the Feb. 26 meeting of council to aid heritage building owners with obtaining insurance coverage.

“The National Trust of Canada conducted a Canada-wide heritage and insurance survey in concert with Amis et Proprietaire de Maisons Anciennes du Quebec (APMAQ) and found that between 52 and 61 per cent of respondents experienced difficulties in obtaining insurance coverage due to age of the building, heritage status and type/condition of particular buildings,” states the motion.

“The Town of Erin does not intend to create undue hardship for property owners designated under the Ontario Heritage Act,” said Brennan.

Staff were instructed to “address home insurance availability and affordability challenges ... by creating a template letter to assist property owners and insurers confirming that heritage designation does not impose additional requirements on insurers.”