The Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS) was established in 1984 by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to conserve and protect the best examples of Canada’s river heritage, to give them national recognition, and to encourage the public to enjoy and appreciate them. It is a cooperative program of the governments of Canada, all 10 provinces, and the three territories. A 15-member national board administers the program.
The first Canadian Heritage River was the French River in Ontario, designated in 1986. There are 39 Heritage rivers (as of 2003) across Canada, and more are being added to the system each year. The goal is to establish a system that reflects the diversity of Canada’s river environments and celebrates the role of rivers in Canada’s history and society. The dream is to ensure that these rivers flow into the future with their heritage features protected for generations to come.
