[Bcma-l] Fwd: CMA Communiqué: Human Rights Mus eum Gets A Big Boost

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	CMA Communiqué: Human Rights Museum Gets A Big Boost 
[REF5360000300000002920]
Date: 	Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:59:00 -0400
From: 	Canadian Museums Association des musées canadiens 
<lmcconnell@museums.ca>


    Human Rights Museum Gets A Big Boost


*Ottawa, April 26, 2007 –* The proposed Human Rights Museum, planned to 
open in 2010 in Winnipeg, moved one step closer to reality with the 
Prime Minister’s April 20 announcement that it will be given national 
status and federal operating funding.

This is on top of the federal government’s $100 million capital 
investment. The total capital is expected to be $311 million, and 
operating costs are expected to be about $22 million per year.

“The Human Rights Museum is a bold, exciting new museum," said John 
McAvity, CMA executive director. “It is a museum about ideas and ideals. 
CMA has long supported the Human Rights Museum. It is encouraging that 
the federal government recognizes that important museums exist outside 
Ottawa in other communities; this is an important step in the evolution 
of museum policy in Canada."

CMA is pleased to see new federal investment in museums; however, it 
remains critically important to address the needs of existing museums 
across the country. CMA continues to urge the government to introduce a 
new museums policy. CMA has presented policy recommendations to Heritage 
Minister Bev Oda, and the government. “We hope the government will adopt 
the same enthusiasm for museums in communities across Canada that it has 
for this new national museum in Winnipeg," said McAvity.

As the Human Rights Museum news was announced in Winnipeg, the Senate of 
Canada was holding hearings about one exhibit panel at the new Canadian 
War Museum, which has offended some veterans. The CWM had the panel 
reviewed by an independent jury of historians and is standing by the 
original wording on the panel. Like all federal museums, the CWM is at 
arm’s length from government, and should be free from political 
interference, to ensure impartiality and independent decision-making.

Museums play an important role as a public forum for debate, and as 
such, must remain objective, independent, and accountable for the 
information they convey. CMA supports this independent role, and urges 
the government to ensure that the new Human Rights Museum is also 
guaranteed this responsibility.

“It is important that these national, publicly funded institutions are 
able to serve the public and carry out their mandates free from 
political interference," said McAvity.

– 30 –

For more information:

Naomi Grattan
Director Communications
Canadian Museums Association
400-280 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, ON K2P 1R7
(613) 567-0099 x223
ngrattan@museums.ca <mailto:ngrattan@museums.ca>