For more than a century, railway stations have been an integral
part of the Canadian landscape. Not only do they stand as
testimony to Canada's development, but to many Canadian
communities they are an important source of pride. That a great
many Canadians feel an attachment to these railway stations is
shown by their enthusiastic efforts to preserve them. Until the
late 1980's, public efforts to preserve railway stations were
hindered by the absence of legislation. As most railway stations
are owned or controlled by federally regulated railway
companies, they are not subject to the various provincial laws
that protect heritage. In 1988 Parliament passed a private
member's bill to protect these railway stations. The Heritage
Railway Stations Protection Act was given Royal Assent in
September 1988. The Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act
requires federally regulated railway companies to obtain
authorization from the Governor in Council before removing,
destroying, altering or disposing of a heritage railw