Does Cape Breton have - other than the Bras D'or Lakes Biosphere Reserve - any other "exceptional spaces" which could qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage site? 

Canada is already home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites, that Canadians and international visitors can discover and learn more about Canada’s rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage.

Now, for the first time in over a decade, Canadians have the opportunity to suggest additions to that list. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, has launched the call for nominations for Canada’s next set of candidates for World Heritage Sites.

The Government of Canada is inviting communities from coast to coast to coast to nominate our country’s most exceptional places to Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites as a way to celebrate Canada’s heritage. Canada’s new nominees as UNESCO World Heritage Sites will be announced in 2017 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Applications should conform to World Heritage standards. They must demonstrate that the proposed site has potential Outstanding Universal Value – the core requirement for all sites inscribed on the World Heritage List – by satisfying one or more of ten natural and cultural criteria. They must also meet additional World Heritage requirements for integrity and authenticity, be effectively managed and protected, and enjoy broad local support.

Applications will be reviewed by an independent Ministerial Advisory Committee of Canadian experts in the fields of natural and cultural heritage. The Advisory Committee will recommend to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada those properties with strong potential for successful inscription as World Heritage Sites. 

The Minister will announce Canada’s updated Tentative List for World Heritage in 2017 as part of Canada 150 celebrations.

For more information on the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the update of Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites, please refer to www.pc.gc.ca