Principles
Winnipeg's City Council adopted the Heritage Support - Policy and Programs report. This report outlines the following rules as the basis of an incentive strategy to support heritage buildings:

• The City maintains a comprehensive range of incentives (grants and financial assistance) for the conservation and use of designated heritage structures.
• Incentives address the specific needs of individual, designated properties.
• Incentives ensure owners of designated structures are treated with equal fairness.
• Program criteria and procedures are designed to facilitate communication, understanding, and efficient, prompt administration.
• Incentives (along with the management of City-owned heritage properties) emphasize preservation, stabilization, restoration, and rehabilitation as the most appropriate methods for the conservation and use of heritage structures. However, the costs and benefits are assessed in relation to the circumstances of each structure.
• The City extends financial assistance for heritage conservation only when it expects to receive full value from the investment (such as, retention and continued use of an entire structure, not just its facades; restoration of significant features; commitment to future repair and upkeep; assurance of public access; and/or owner lessee participation in a district preservation program).
• Recipients of financial aid from the City are expected to serve in an active community role related to the stewardship of assisted properties.

• The building must be listed on the Buildings Conservation List under the terms of the Historical Buildings By-law 1474/77 (as amended).
• The Certificate of Suitability policy must be satisfied.
• A heritage agreement must be signed, ensuring that the maintenance of heritage features of the building, that there is adequate insurance on the structure and that there is protection from demolition in perpetuity.
• No taxes must be owed.
• Two estimates for work must be approved.
• Council approval for grant or tax relief is required prior to the beginning of construction.
• Costs and work plans must be submitted in advance for repayment of work or for progressive billing payments.
• Work must be inspected and approved.
• Paid bills must be submitted upon completion for auditing.

• Program continues at the discretion of City Council.
• Intended to assist a limited number of strategic projects
  • To increase property assessment value
  • To fulfill functions not likely to be displaced from elsewhere in Winnipeg
• Eligible proposals are subject to economic and impact analyses.
• Owners or long-term tenants may apply at any time.
• Proposals must involve a minimum $10,000 in eligible work to repair, stabilize, and rehabilitate designated buildings and to preserve their significant heritage elements.
• City Council retains sole responsibility for accepting or rejecting applications and for setting the amount of tax credit to be allocated to each authorized project.
• The value of an approved tax credit may be up to 50% of the net private investment made in eligible work.
• The credit may be used at a recipient's discretion over a maximum 10-year period to reduce qualifying property, business, and amusement taxes levied by the City.