Three historic lighthouses in the Maritimes have been given heritage status by the federal government under Canada’s Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act bringing the total number of protected structures to 109 in eight provinces.

The list, which now includes Margaretsville Lighthouse in Nova Scotia, as well as the Pointe à Jérôme Front Range Lighthouse and Caissie Point Lighthouse, both in New Brunswick, includes some of the country’s most architecturally and historically significant lighthouses, including Fisgard Lighthouse in British Columbia, Île du Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie in Quebec, and Point Amour in Newfoundland and Labrador, which are treasured symbols of our country’s maritime heritage.

“Heritage places reflect the rich and varied stories of Canada and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history,” says Parks Canada.

Among the new designations:

• Constructed in 1859, Margaretsville Lighthouse was one of the first lighthouses established on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy.

• Caissie Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1872 in the village of Cap-de-Caissie on the southeastern shore of New Brunswick, was considered one of the most significant lights built on the Northumberland Strait due to the number of vessels trading cargo at the port of Shediac.

• Pointe à Jérôme Front Range Lighthouse was constructed in 1916 near the town of Bouctouche, New Brunswick, and is part of the second generation of range lights to mark the Bouctouche Harbour.

The government of Canada works in collaboration with community groups and other levels of government to facilitate the designation of heritage lighthouses to ensure their protection “for the benefit and enjoyment of generations to come.” Designations under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act are made by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act was established in 2010 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.

“Lighthouses have served and continue to serve important purposes in our coastal communities. I’m proud our government is investing to preserve these significant and historical landmarks in the Maritimes,” said Kings-Hants, NS, MP Kody Bloise

Quick Facts

• Margaretsville Lighthouse is a 9.7-metre-tall, square tapered light tower featuring a distinctive broad horizontal black daymark and black roof on the lantern, which is unique in Nova Scotia. Ruth Earley, keeper from 1907 to 1910, was one of the first women to officially serve as keeper in Nova Scotia.

• Caissie Point Lighthouse, located in New Brunswick, is a 13.9-metre-tall, square, tapered, wooden lighthouse. The lighthouse continues to guide mariners and pleasure craft plying the sea.

• Pointe à Jérôme Front Range Lighthouse, located on the north side of Bouctouch Harbour in New Brunswick, is a 6.3-metre-tall, square, tapered, wooden tower. It is considered an excellent example of the wooden, square tapered lighthouse style and continues to serve as a marker for mariners navigating the channel into the harbour.

• Among the 109 designated heritage lighthouses, 43 are managed by the federal government and 66 are managed by new, non-federal owners.