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September 15, 2005

RCMP Heritage Centre Launch Marks Saskatchewan Centennial

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Government of Canada today invested $23.5 million in the construction of a new RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina. The investment helps mark Saskatchewan's 100 th anniversary, which is being celebrated in 2005.

Located on the grounds of the RCMP Academy in Regina, this $29 million facility will establish a permanent historic and tourism legacy of the province's centennial and will benefit future generations of Canadians. The Heritage Centre is designed to be a unique, world-class historical interpretive centre. It will serve as a Canadian and international tourism destination, teaching visitors about the RCMP's history and role in policing.

The Government of Canada's investment in the RCMP Heritage Centre includes $13 million from the "Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan" initiative that is administered by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), as well as an additional $3 million from WD. The RCMP is investing $5 million in the construction of the facility. An additional $2.5 million investment through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), was announced in 2000.

"T he large and visible presence of the RCMP in Regina and Saskatchewan is a unique and prestigious distinction that no other place in the world can claim ," said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Wascana. "The new Heritage Centre will provide Canadians and international visitors with greater understanding and appreciation of the RCMP."

"The RCMP's history is intertwined with the exploration and settlement of Western Canada," stated the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "As part of the Government of Canada's investment in celebrating Saskatchewan's centennial, we are pleased to partner with the RCMP to celebrate the importance of their past, present and future, as well as contributing to the local economy by making the city of Regina an even more attractive tourism destination."

"The RCMP has always taken great pride in its history and traditions," said RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli. "The Heritage Centre will provide an exciting opportunity for us to showcase that pride and tell the RCMP story, from our early beginnings, to our role today and our vision for the future. Today's funding announcement brings us one step closer to realizing our dream."

"The Board of Directors and community volunteers have long had a vision to create an unparalleled heritage experience-one that showcases the pivotal role the RCMP has played in Canada's past and the role they will continue to play in the present and the future," said Frank Hart, Chair, Board of Directors, RCMP Heritage Centre. "This considerable financial investment in the project is indeed the commitment that allows detailed design and construction of the Centre to begin and, at long last, we're bringing reality to the vision of this substantial Canadian project."

The construction of the Heritage Centre will incorporate the existing RCMP Centennial Museum's collection into the design of the new facility. Working in cooperation with the RCMP Heritage Centre Canadian architect Arthur Erickson in joint venture with P3 Architects in collaboration with Design + Communications, have created a building design and visitor experience that will impress both local residents and out-of-town visitors. Located on a 12-acre site, the Heritage Centre will be substantially more than a museum, offering both static exhibits and interactive displays. With an estimated 16-to-18 month construction schedule starting this fall, the grand opening is slated for May 2007.

Situated at the Dewdney Avenue entrance to the RCMP Academy, the building itself is reaching its final design stage, and is planned as a 68,000 square foot structure over two floors with more than 18,000 square feet of the area developed as exhibit halls and interpretive space. It will include a multi-media theatre exploring the RCMP's heritage and current operations, as well as aspects of RCMP training that are not generally accessible to the public. The remainder of the building will house curatorial and artifact storage space, program and visitor services (reception, food services and gift shop) and administrative functions.

The RCMP Heritage Centre anticipates an average of up to 450,000 visitors over the first three years. Currently, the RCMP Centennial Museum receives an average of 53,000 visitors per year. This includes tours of the Heritage precinct of the Academy-Parade Square, the Chapel, Drill Hall and cemetery.

Funding for this initiative was included in Budget 2005.

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Backgrounder

RCMP Heritage Centre Launch Marks Saskatchewan Centennial

Breakdown of Funding:

Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan Centennial Initiative (WD) $13 million
RCMP $5 million
Canada-Saskatchewan WEPA (federal funding) $2.5 million
Western Economic Diversification Program (WDP) $3 million
Other sources $3.5 million
Private Donations/Fundraising $2 million

Total: $29 million

To commemorate Saskatchewan's centennial in 2005, the Government of Canada invested up to $40 million for capital legacy projects and to host community-based celebrations. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) are administering $36.8 million and up to $2.8 million of the total respectively.

Titled "Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan," the capital legacy projects component provides one-time investments of up to 100 per cent of the total project. To date, approximately $4.9 million in funding for 354 community projects has been publicly announced. Government of Canada investments for the remainder of the approved projects will be announced in the coming months. PCH community celebrations included activities related to Canada Day festivities in Regina and the Canada Summer Games.

Of this funding, WD is delivering up to $36.8 million allocated to capital legacy projects for every Saskatchewan community. Canadian Heritage committed up to $2.8 million for centennial celebration activities. The capital legacy component of the initiative provides one-time contributions of up to 100 per cent of total project. To date, approximately $4.9 million in funding for 354 community projects has been publicly announced; Government of Canada investments for the remainder of the approved projects will be announced in the coming months.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was created under the name North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1873 by Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald. The intent was to bring law and order, assert Canadian sovereignty over the Northwest Territories, and later support the expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the West Coast. The first uniforms were red to emphasize the connection to Britain and to differentiate them from the blue uniforms worn by American military personnel.

In 1904, King Edward VII granted the force the prefix "Royal" and it became the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (RNWMP). In 1920, the RNWMP merged with the Dominion Police, the centrally based federal police service, and was renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The RCMP's headquarters were transferred from Regina to Ottawa at this time.

Through the 1930s, the RCMP expanded its provincial policing roles to include Alberta, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces, transforming itself into Canada's national police force. In 1950, it also assumed policing responsibility for Newfoundland and British Columbia. Women were first accepted as uniformed members in 1974. The RCMP's role was expanded to include airport policing, VIP security and drug enforcement in the 1970s.

The RCMP Academy in Regina has been training members of Canada's police force for nearly 120 years. It was originally known as Depot Division but was later renamed to better reflect its primary function as a training facility. Today all members of the RCMP obtain their basic training in Regina. The RCMP Academy also provides specialized training for RCMP members and law enforcement personnel from across Canada and for international organizations. The RCMP is unique in the world since it is a national, federal, provincial and municipal policing body. It provides policing services to eight provinces, three territories, 198 municipalities and 192 First Nations communities.

The grounds of the Academy contain many historic buildings and modern training facilities. The RCMP Cemetery and Cenotaph, a monument to those who gave their lives in the line of duty, are located here. The Academy is where Louis Riel was executed and it is the site of one of the oldest chapels on the Canadian prairies.

The existing RCMP Centennial Museum was established in 1933 and has operated in its present location for 32 years. It is a regimental museum, primarily serving the interests of members of the RCMP and celebrating their accomplishments. Over the last decade, guided site tours of the Academy have stimulated increased tourism interest. The museum and Academy site have become a recognized tourist attraction in Regina and Saskatchewan generally.

The new RCMP Heritage Centre will reflect the history of the RCMP, its traditions and future challenges. It will celebrate the role of the RCMP in the maturation of Canada from a frontier land to a modern society. The RCMP Heritage Centre will be a popular destination for both Canadians and international visitors.