Celebrating 50 years of World Heritage in Canada

In 2026, Canada will mark the 50th anniversary of signing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, a milestone that has shaped the protection of natural and cultural heritage nationwide.  

To commemorate this anniversary, the National Trust for Canada is undertaking a World Heritage Anniversary Project, funded in part by the Government of Canada.  

The project will involve a series of events at World Heritage sites across the country, as well as virtual activities and resources that tell the story of Canada and the World Heritage Convention. 

More information about the project—and ways you can get involved—coming soon!

Did you know?

There are 22 World Heritage sites across Canada recognized by UNESCO for their global importance.  

Cultural Sites

• L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (1978) 

• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (1981) 

• SGang Gwaay (1981) 

• Historic District of Old Québec (1985) 

• Old Town Lunenburg (1995) 

• Rideau Canal (2007) 

• Landscape of Grand Pré (2012) 

• Red Bay Basque Whaling Station (2013) 

• Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi (2019) 

• Tr’ondëk-Klondike (2023) 

Natural Sites

• Nahanni National Park (1978) 

• Dinosaur Provincial Park (1979) 

• Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (1979, 1992, 1994)* 

• Wood Buffalo National Park (1983) 

• Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (1984, 1990) 

• Gros Morne National Park (1987) 

• Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (1995)* 

• Miguasha National Park (1999) 

• Joggins Fossil Cliffs (2008) 

• Mistaken Point (2016) 

• Anticosti (2023) 

Mixed sites

• Pimachiowin Aki (2018) 

*Indicates a transboundary site that is shared with the United States of America 

This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.