12 Finalists Named in National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save Competition to Restore Historic Places Across Canada

• Competition awards $65,000 in cash prizes
• Canadians will decide the winners—public voting opens April 7 and runs through April 24

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Trust for Canada, the country’s leading charity dedicated to protecting and promoting heritage places, has announced 12 finalists for the Next Great Save, a national competition that helps restore cherished historic places across Canada. Public voting opens Tuesday, April 7, 2026, with $65,000 in prizes available to support winning projects, including a $50,000 grand prize and two runner-up prizes.

“Heritage places lie at the heart of Canada's identity. They tell the stories that have shaped our communities,” said Dr. Patricia Kell, CEO of the National Trust for Canada. “In its fourth year, the Next Great Save brings together iconic sites from diverse parts of Canada -- from lighthouse to ranch, school to mill, and more -- all advancing projects to make them more resilient and sustainable.”

From Coast to Coast, Introducing the Next Great Save Finalists

The 2026 finalists were selected for proposed projects to renew, adapt or reimagine their historic sites. Each project responds to a unique community need, from accessibility to expanded public use and long-term sustainability.

• Fort Point Lighthouse Interpretation Centre — Trinity, NL
• Ancienne Église Sainte-Marie — Church Point, NS
• Trinity Anglican Church — Digby, NS
• Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges — Trois-Pistoles, QC
• Fort Ingall — Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, QC
• Missisquoi Museum – Cornell Mill — East Stanbridge, QC
• Backhouse Grist Mill — Port Rowan, ON
• Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum — Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
• St. John’s United Church — Brockville, ON
• The Spire — Kingston, ON
• Old Coleman High School — Coleman, AB
• 108 Mile Ranch Heritage Site — South Cariboo Region, BC

To learn more about each finalist’s historic site, proposed project, and the impact they’re making, visit nextgreatsave.ca.

Canada Decides: Public Voting Opens April 7

Canadians have a deep love for their historic sites and rise to the challenge when these treasures are at risk. The Next Great Save gives Canadians a voice in championing and protecting the heritage places that matter most to them.

Public voting for the Next Great Save opens April 7 at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT and closes April 24 at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT. Canadians are invited to vote for their favourite heritage site, with the opportunity to vote once per day at nextgreatsave.ca — because every vote matters. The winner and two runners-up will be announced on April 24, 2026, at 2 p.m. PDT / 5 p.m. EDT.

Ecclesiastical Insurance returns for its fourth year as the Title Sponsor for the Next Great Save, funding the $50,000 grand prize and reinforcing its commitment to protecting Canada’s historic places and preserving them for future generations. The second and third-place winners will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

“Over the past four years, the Next Great Save has shown what’s possible when communities take the lead in shaping the future of their heritage places,” said David Huebel, President, Ecclesiastical Insurance. “We’re proud to continue supporting an initiative that not only preserves historic sites, but helps reimagine how they can serve communities for generations to come.”

For more:

• Engage with the Next Great Save finalists on Instagram.
• Read stories of past competition winners and how they restored and revitalized their heritage sites.
• Stay on top of the latest news and announcements from the National Trust for Canada.

About the National Trust for Canada

Created in 1973, the National Trust for Canada is the leading national charity dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Canada’s historic sites. The Trust believes that heritage places are a catalyst for sustainable, livable, lovable communities. Heritage conservation addresses the needs of communities today by fostering identity and sense of place, driving economic activity, enhancing belonging, supporting climate resilience, and promoting well-being.

About Ecclesiastical Insurance

Ecclesiastical Insurance is an award-winning commercial insurance company and a proud part of the Benefact Group – a charity owned, international family of financial service companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes. Ecclesiastical provides specialist insurance solutions to the arts, culture and heritage community, faith organizations, retirement living, educational institutions, registered charities, and non-profit organizations, protecting Canada’s historic places, both large and small, with regional offices in Dartmouth, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.