Sheila Copps Announces Government of Canada Support to New Canadian War Museum
OTTAWA, March 16, 2000 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced federal funding of $58,250,000 toward the costs of construction of the new Canadian War Museum. The funding, which will be provided during the next five years will enable the Museum to proceed with plans for construction of a new facility that will house and display the Museum's world class collections."The Government of Canada made a commitment to veterans and to all Canadians," stated Minister Copps. "We had promised to keep the military history of Canada alive and remind people of the sacrifice made by thousands of men and women for their country. Today, we honour that commitment so that future generations never forget."
This contribution is in addition to the land donated to the Museum by the Government of Canada on November 4 of last year. At that time, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of National Defence had announced an agreement in principle with the National Capital Commission to donate eight hectares of property valued at $4 million, situated near the Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe.
This funding will enable the Museum to consolidate its collections and to enhance its public programming activities in a single facility. Relocating the facility will create an opportunity to make the collections more accessible to the public.
"The Government of Canada recognizes that Canada's military heritage is important to our cultural heritage and national identity," added Minister Copps. "We fully intend to work in partnership with public agencies, not for profit organizations and the private sector to assist the Canadian War Museum in its future development."
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
THE NEW CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM
--The Canadian War Museum, Canada's national military museum, is currently located in two buildings (on Sussex Drive and Vimy House on Champagne Avenue). The facilities lack programming space. As a result, much of the collection, most notably the war art collection that features works by the Group of Seven, delicate textiles, paper documents and the medal collection are not shown to the public.
--The Rockcliffe facility will make the collections of the War Museum more accessible to the public, permitting permanent display of the war art collection and of the vehicle, artillery, poster, medal, uniform, badge, flag and banner collections. It will permit enhanced programming and outdoor activities such as the Remembrance Day Sunset Ceremonies and similar memorial and demonstration events. (Major national military heritage institutions such as the Imperial War Museum in England and the Australian War Memorial regularly integrate outdoor activities into their programming with great effect and positive reaction from the public.)
COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS
--A number of associations in the Rockcliffe area have worked together with respect to the Rockcliffe lands under the umbrella name "Community Development Association" (CDA). The Museum has had consultation and information meetings with CDA, where tentative plans were discussed and positively received.
CONTRACT TENDERING
--The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation plans to follow an open and transparent procurement process for the project. The Corporation is subject to the North American Free Trade Agreement and to the Agreement on Internal Trade, which means that the bids will be open to the whole of North America.
FUTURE USE OF SUSSEX DRIVE SITE
--The Sussex Drive facility is located on land that is part of the National Interest Land Mass (NILM) and is a designated heritage building under the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO).
--There are a number of potential uses for the building, including public use, lease to the private sector, or a joint public-private sector project.
--It will take a number of years to complete the new facility. During this time, the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation will explore the future use of the building with the National Capital Commission, Public Works and Government Services Canada and Parks Canada.
Canadian War Museum
CHRONOLOGY
1880--Creation of the Canadian War Museum
(From an unofficial initiative on the part of the militia officers of the Ottawa Garrison).
1918--Apppointment by the Privy Council of a Commission on War Records and Trophies.
1919--The Commission is empowered "to acquire and supervise the collection and acquisition, preservation and care of ... material suitable for the Canadian War Museum ... and to hold exhibitions of war pictures and trophies...".
1942--The War Museum is opened to the public.
1967--The War Museum is relocated to 330 Sussex Drive in a facility built in 1904.
1982--The collections storage facilities are relocated to Vimy House, on Champagne Avenue.
1985--The Canadian War Museum becomes an associated museum of the National Museum of Man, now the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC).
1990--The Canadian War Museum is designated as an affiliated museum of the CMCC.
1990--A Task Force on Military History Museum Collections is created. One of its key recommendations relates to the construction of "a new building near the National Aviation Museum at Rockcliffe."
Nov.1997
The Museum proposes, in the Canadian War Museum Long-Term Plan,
renovations to its existing space and an expansion of its Sussex Drive site that would include a Holocaust Gallery.
Feb. 1998
The proposal prompts hearings of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
June 1998
The final report of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs recommends that
"a survey of alternative sites for the Canadian War Museum be conducted by the appropriate government department or agency and be reported to the Senate".
Nov.1998
The Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of National Defence announce an
agreement in principle with the Department of National Defence (DND) and the National Capital Commission (NCC) to make 8 hectares of property near the CFB in Rockcliffe valued at $4 million available to the Canadian War Museum.
March 2000
Announcement of Federal Government funding for the construction of a new
Canadian War Museum.
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