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, nine provinces, and the three territories. A 14-member national board administers the program. Quebec withdrew its participation in 2006.[1][2]
The first Canadian Heritage River was the French River in Ontario, designated in 1986, and rivers are now designated in every province and territory except for Quebec. There are currently 37 designated and 4 nominated rivers.
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The rivers currently designated as a Canadian Heritage River are:
| River | Province/Territory | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Alsek River | Yukon | 1986 |
| Arctic Red River | Northwest Territories | 1993 |
| Athabasca River | Alberta | 1989 |
| Bay du Nord River | Newfoundland | 2006 |
| Bloodvein River | Manitoba/Ontario | 1987/1998 |
| Bonnet Plume River | Yukon | 1998 |
| Boundary Waters | Ontario | 1996 |
| Clearwater River | Saskatchewan/Alberta | 1987/2004 |
| Cowichan River | British Columbia | 2003 |
| Detroit River | Ontario/Michigan | 2001 |
| Fraser River | British Columbia | 1998 |
| French River | Ontario | 1986 |
| Grand River | Ontario | 1994 |
| Hayes River | Manitoba | 2006 |
| Hillsborough River | Prince Edward Island | 1997 |
| Humber River | Ontario | 1999 |
| Kazan River | Nunavut | 1990 |
| Kicking Horse River | Alberta/British Columbia | 1989 |
| Main River | Newfoundland | 2001 |
| Margaree River | Nova Scotia | 1998 |
| Mattawa River | Ontario | 1988 |
| Missinaibi River | Ontario | 2004 |
| North Saskatchewan River | Alberta/British Columbia | 1989 |
| Red River | Manitoba | 2007 |
| Rideau Waterway | Ontario | 2000 |
| Seal River | Manitoba | 1992 |
| Shelburne River | Nova Scotia | 1997 |
| Soper River | Nunavut | 1992 |
| South Nahanni River | Northwest Territories | 1987 |
| St. Croix River | New Brunswick | 1991 |
| St. Marys River | Ontario | 2000 |
| Tatshenshini River | Yukon | 2004 |
| Thames River | Ontario | 2000 |
| Thelon River | Nunavut | 1990 |
| The Three Rivers | Prince Edward Island | 2004 |
| Upper Restigouche River | New Brunswick | 1998 |
| Yukon River (The Thirty Mile Section) | Yukon | 1991 |
| River | Province/Territory | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Churchill River | Saskatchewan | |
| Coppermine River | Nunavut | |
| Ottawa River | Ontario | 2007 |
| St. John River | New Brunswick | 2008 |
As of 2011, Quebec is the only province or territory to not have a designated or nominated river. Quebec withdrew its participation in the Canadian Heritage Rivers System in 2006.
Quebec's lack of participation potentially impacts nominations for rivers shared with other provinces. In 1998, the New Brunswick portion of the Restigouche River was designated (as "Upper Restigouche"), while the Quebec portion was not. The Ottawa River was nominated in 2007, but local media reports acknowledged the challenge facing the Ottawa River's bid, as only the Ontario portion of the river would be designated and protected. Unlike the Restigouche, the Ottawa River forms much of the Ontario-Quebec border, so protecting the Ontario shore would be somewhat pointless if the Quebec shore wasn't also protected.
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