THETFORD MINES, Quebec, October 10, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State (Agriculture) and Member of Parliament (Mégantic-l'Érable), today announced funding for the Thetford Mines Mineralogy and Mining Museum.
Funding of $15,633 will be used to improve climate control in the Museum's exhibition rooms, and thereby ensure the proper conservation of objects on display, whether from the Museum's own collection or on loan from other institutions.
"Canada's New Government is proud to support an organization like the Thetford Mines Mineralogy and Mining Museum, which showcases the beauty and richness of the earth's natural assets," said Minister Verner.
"I am pleased to announce that our Government will contribute to this extensive project to improve climate control in the Museum's exhibition rooms to ensure the conservation and circulation of collections representing the mining heritage of the Chaudière-Appalaches region," said Secretary of State Paradis.
"The repairs and the changes to be made will correct climactic fluctuations caused by interference from the lobby and the shortcomings of the automatic system for regulating ambient conditions," said François Cinq-Mars, Director of the Thetford Mines Mineralogy and Mining Museum. "This will bring the Museum closer in line with the museology standards required by certain Canadian collections, which cannot, as yet, be accommodated. The Mineralogy and Mining Museum is delighted with the partnership established with the Department of Canadian Heritage for this project to upgrade its facilities."
The funding announced today is in addition to financial support of more than $170,000 already provided to the Thetford Mines Mineralogy and Mining Museum through various programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The Thetford Mines Mineralogy and Mining Museum is an institution devoted to scientific museology, with collections of rocks, minerals, fossils, photographs, and mining tools and equipment retracing the history of mining in the Appalaches region. It is also a centre for education and initiation to earth sciences, offering quality programs to the public.
Canada's New Government has provided this assistance under the Organizational Development component of the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The intent of this program component is to strengthen professional standards in the management of key museum functions, such as the management of collections, exhibits and public programming, as well as improving the associated competencies.
Information:
Richard Walker
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 994-5978
Marie-Claude Cadorette
Regional Manager Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514 283-4027
