Investment will create jobs and pay
tribute to the country’s military past
As part of Canada’s Economic Action
Plan, the Government of Canada is investing in another
infrastructure project that will create jobs, stimulate the
local economy, and also pay tribute to the country’s military
past.
Ed Holder, the Member of Parliament for London West, along
with John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister,
announced today that the Government of Canada is setting aside
up to $1.5 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to
renovate and expand The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum in
London, Ontario.
“This infrastructure project is very important for the region
and for The Royal Canadian Regiment,” said MP Holder. “I’m very
proud that the Government of Canada is supporting the
preservation of Canada’s military history, and at the same time
supporting London’s economy.”
“Canada has a proud military tradition and our government is
pleased to invest in The Regimental Museum,” said Minister
Baird. “This project will create local jobs while expanding the
Museum’s capacity to host more exhibits, attract more tourists
and visitors, and honour Canada’s military heroes.”
“This is an important project for Londoners who are proud to be
preserving Canada’s military history, in a museum that will be
enjoyed by generations today and in years to come,” said Peter
MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
“This is an historic day for The Royal Canadian Regiment
Museum,” said Board Chair Brigadier General Philip Spencer. “As
one of the finest, professionally run military museums in
Canada, this federal support will help us raise the museum to
the next level and support our vision of displaying,
interpreting, promoting, preserving and archiving the Regiment's
history for all Canadians for generations to come.”
“This significant investment by the Government of Canada
assures Canadians that an important 'warehouse' of national
history that is carefully preserved and displayed at The Royal
Canadian Regiment Museum, be maintained and developed for
Canadians, today and tomorrow – to appreciate and understand
their country's past and present military struggles. The RCR
Museum's Capital Campaign would not have succeeded without this
strong endorsement and we are grateful,” said Honorary Lt.
Colonel Doug Weldon, Chairman of the Capital Campaign Cabinet.
By March 31, 2011, this infrastructure funding will renovate
and expand the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum by:
- Expanding the museum gallery to build a
new temporary exhibition and multi-purpose gallery to host
traveling exhibits from other museums, including the
Canadian War Museum;
- Creating a space for new galleries that
highlight Canada’s role in the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) and current operations and peacekeeping;
and
- Upgrading lighting, heating, and cooling
systems to better preserve the museum’s collection of
artefacts, and to prevent any deterioration of the
collection.
Federal funding is being provided through the
national $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. It is aimed at
getting shovels in the ground for infrastructure projects across
Canada that can be completed by March 31, 2011. The Government
of Canada’s support is conditional on the project meeting all
the requirements under the program and the signing of a
contribution agreement with The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum.
