October 13, 2026
To my insurer or broker,
Re: heritage status of 400 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Status
According to the City of Thunder Bay — Properties on the Municipal Heritage Register (as of August 30, 2022), this property is designated under Part V (heritage conservation district) of the Ontario Heritage Act, by-law 65. It is recorded as Late Victorian house. Source: https://opendata.thunderbay.ca/datasets/bd50ba0dc1534a13b4cb6f057646b049
What this status requires
The property is in a heritage conservation district. Alterations, demolition and new construction there need a heritage permit and are guided by the district plan. The Province states that “Insurance premiums should not go up because of a heritage designation.” For how the district plan treats rebuilding after a loss, please ask the municipality (contact below).
The building
Details insurers ask about for older buildings (filled in by the owner):
- Electrical service (60-amp or 100-amp and up) and wiring type: knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring is a common reason for refusal:
- Plumbing: galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside:
- Heating: oil tank age (over 25 years is a concern) and any wood stove (WETT inspection):
- Roof age and condition (over 20 years raises the risk of leaks):
- Recent upgrades, with dates, receipts and photos:
Heritage contact at the municipality
the Clerk, Thunder Bay.
Owner:
Sources: Government of Ontario, Heritage properties and insurance (updated April 10, 2026), https://www.ontario.ca/page/heritage-properties-and-insurance. Community Heritage Ontario, ARA and University of Waterloo, Residential Property Insurance and Heritage Designation Study (June 2026). Status from The Patina Record (https://thepatinarecord.ca/property/d4e653df-a9c6-445d-b7e4-5e3989cfe343/400-red-river-road-thunder-bay), which shows each municipal register with its source and date. Not legal advice; the municipality's register is the official record.