OTTAWA, December 4, 2006 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, and the Honourable John Baird, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament (Ottawa West-Nepean), today announced funding of almost $100 million over five years for the following five Canadian Heritage Portfolio organizations: Canadian Museum of NatureNational Gallery of CanadaCanadian Museum of CivilizationCanada Museum of Science and TechnologyNational Arts CentreThe funding will address urgent capital and infrastructure challenges that have faced these institutions for several years. "By taking our responsibilities seriously, Canada's New Government is ensuring Canada's place as a progressive country," said Minister Oda. "The national museums are the keepers of our most treasured and significant heritage, while the National Arts Centre provides a world-renowned venue for Canadian artists. Today we are ensuring that the arts and our cultural heritage will play an essential role in the lives of Canadians for years to come.""Ottawa is an important showcase for Canadian culture and heritage," said Minister Baird. "Through this significant investment, Canada's New Government is helping to ensure that our museums and cultural centres have the support they need to preserve our shared history and promote Canadian talent.""We are grateful that the Government of Canada has committed funds to ensure capital and urgent health and safety repairs to our research and collections facility," said Joanne DiCosimo, president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature. "This will help us preserve Canada's national natural history collections." "These substantial investments will allow the National Gallery of Canada to undertake over 70 essential deferred-maintenance projects identified in our Facilities Long-Term Capital Plan," said Pierre Théberge, director of the National Gallery of Canada. "This announcement by the Canadian Government demonstrates a long-term vision for our institution and a real concern when it comes to preserving our national heritage." "I am delighted that the Government has taken firm action to protect these buildings and the collections they hold on behalf of all Canadians," said Victor Rabinovitch, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. "The repairs we will make at the Museum of Civilization will have very positive impacts for the millions of visitors who come to our site every year from across Canada and around the world.""We are eager to apply these funds to resolve urgent health and safety issues and to carry out structural repairs at our three museums," said Maureen McEvoy, director of public affairs at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. "We're particularly encouraged to have attracted investments that will allow us to enhance revenue generating opportunities.""The National Arts Centre is pleased that the Government of Canada is addressing the longstanding issue of needed funding for repairs and long-term maintenance at Canada's national cultural organizations," said Peter Herrndorf, president and CEO of the National Arts Centre. "We are grateful that Ministers Oda and Baird understood that, while infrastructure rehabilitation may not be sexy, it is necessary to do the 'below the radar' work that protects our cultural assets."Funding announced today represents a concrete step by Canada's New Government to address urgent infrastructure challenges faced by these key national institutions. Providing for urgent repairs and easing capital pressures will enable these institutions to continue to deliver on their national mandates. A breakdown of support is attached.The Canadian Heritage Portfolio consists of the Department of Canadian Heritage and 18 other organizations. The Portfolio organizations are among the key Canadian institutions that support the creation, promotion, and dissemination of cultural and artistic expression and the preservation of Canadian culture and history.Information : Chisholm Pothier Director of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women819 997-7788Donald BoulangerA/Chief, Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819 994-9101
Backgrounder
FIVE FEDERAL CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS RECEIVE FUNDING TO ADDRESS URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Canada's new Government invests close to $100 million dollars over 5 years to address urgent needs related to the infrastructures of five federal cultural institutions in the Canadian Heritage Portfolio. This investment is being funded from the Treasury Board Management Reserve and is part of the fiscal framework.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Science and Technology Museum Corporation, the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Canada will be benefiting from this investment that will enable them to better meet their responsibilities in caring and preserving Canada's unique and diverse heritage as well as continuing to present artistic performances that reflect the vibrant creativity of Canadian artists.
The deteriorating condition of a number of the Portfolio organizations' aging facilities is a key issue and many of the facilities have reached a critical point where significant reinvestment is required to protect the integrity of the buildings. Over the last decade, these organizations have been adversely affected by constantly rising fixed costs, diminished revenue opportunities due to the effects of global conflict on tourism, and limited financial capacity to address urgent issues related to health and safety, program integrity or priority investment opportunities.
Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation: Funding to address urgent infrastructure issues related to health and safety issues ($4.0M);Canadian Museum of Nature: Funding to address urgent repairs at the Natural Heritage building ($2.8M);Canadian Science and Technology Museum Corporation: Funding to address an operating shortfall, major repairs related to health and safety issues at each of the 3 affiliated museums, for a Canada Aviation Museum classroom project and to create a Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation Foundation to manage fundraising activities for the Corporation ($19.9M);National Arts Centre: Funding to address urgent repairs and replacement of equipment ($56.6M); andNational Gallery of Canada: Funding for urgent repairs to their main building at 380 Sussex related to halth and safety and program integrity issues ($14.8M).
