Ottawa Cancels Museum

Heritage Minister James Moore had this to say to justify the canceling of the National Portrait Gallery.

“In this time of global economic instability, it is important that the
federal government continue to manage its own affairs prudently and
pragmatically.”

I can think of another museum project that should be canceled for the same reasons, never mind the fact that seven months past the fundraising deadline, they still haven't reached their $105 fund raising goal, a testament to Canadians and Winnipeggers specifically, voting a resounding NO with their wallets.

ohh but its only a couple hundred million start up
and only 20 some million per year in operating costs... whats the problem?

Israel's tolerance museum sparks protests


Palestinians march against plans to build on unused Muslim cemetery


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27573350/

now why does MSNBC need to throw "unused" into its headline?

To add to the callesnous probaly and sometimes they all wonder why they don't get along. This is the goofiest part of the world and the religions of the area should be ashamed of the things they do there to each other.

Now that Moore has announced the government's intention to not build the Portrait Gallery, surely he can't justify putting money toward something of considerably less significance or need.

My guess is if he was asked today, he would say there are no plans to put money into it currently. In other words, blow it out your ear Aspers.

Museum for Human Rights is a BIG waste of tax dollars!!! I am all for canceling it.

Goth_chic wrote:Museum for Human Rights is a BIG waste of tax dollars!!! I am all for canceling it.

Great Idea. I have a better idea.

Why not build this museum at the former site of Auschwitz. It can be a present from Gail Asper to the people of the world. I'm sure poland/germany would foot the bill to maintain the building.

the 200ish million cost and 22 millionish pear year operating cost would be peanuts compared to the restitutions that Germany pays out annually.

Waughs donate $1M to rights museum. Read more here.
Seems like peeps continue to pour money here.

grumpy old man wrote:Waughs donate $1M to rights museum. Read more here.
Seems like peeps continue to pour money here.

A tiny minority of Canada's rich and some unions.. The average person continues to say NO with their wallets. It's been over 7 months since their March 31, 2008 deadline...

Your passion against this museum is stunning. What is it that has you so strongly and passionately railing against this museum? Is it the public money? Is it the theme? Is it the Aspers? Is it the location? The Forks or Winnipeg?

What about this museum touches so on your hot spots?

Maybe it's the name of the place that doesn't attract some peeps.
Winnipeg (and Canada) is well known to have many different nationalities and cultures in it's population, all living together, without the worldwide conflicts affecting them. So where would a human rights museum fit into Winnipeg? For what? Maybe renaming it and giving it another purpose would work out better. Like for example, The International Cultural Museum, would be just an idea, and starting off with the many aboriginal displays, then adding various other cultures as time goes by, and having them enter during special events, so to spark up the interest in the new displays and exhibits.
Just my thought and 3 cents worth...

It is just Winnipeg I find we have to lose the movie shoot for the trees . This city is stuck in some waste land of we are never good enough or we can't afford it , or Edmonton has one .

For once people we might have something good not that debate is bad but for once people get behind the city . Also embarrasing Regina sold out there game well we just about did but as always we fell short.

grumpy old man wrote:Your passion against this museum is stunning. What is it that has you so strongly and passionately railing against this museum? Is it the public money? Is it the theme? Is it the Aspers? Is it the location? The Forks or Winnipeg?

What about this museum touches so on your hot spots?

What's stunning is the lack of fairness surrounding this project. Has the media coverage been fair and balanced, like what we have seen for other large projects that involve huge sums of tax dollars? Nope. Has Gail Asper ever made herself available to the media to justify the project as a spending priority for scarce tax dollars? Nope.

I believe in fairness. Do you?

I sure do. The biggest problem with this museum is the stigma behind any political figure opposing it.

Fairness? Care to elaborate?

grumpy old man wrote:Fairness? Care to elaborate?

I just did and always have.

I guess I just don't get it.

How is it fair that this project recieves to little scrutiny. Thats where the fairness comes in.

Thanks for the clarity. I'd say scrutiny is a subjective thing no? This project has been on the books now for how long? I was not around Winnipeg at the time so I've no idea how much public scrutiny it received then.

Would it make everyone happier if this was discussed more in the MSM? Would it make any difference?

How about an actual discussion on it in ANY level of government without the politicians involved rolling over like sheep?

That would have been nice.

new rights museum to be green.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/story/4249063p-4892479c.html

"The board of trustees is still considering building options and the details of the building have not yet been decided."

but note the...
"How environmentally friendly the new $300-million museum will be took centre ..."

umm please tell me thats a reporter misquote on the value of the museum.

grumpy old man wrote:Thanks for the clarity. I'd say scrutiny is a subjective thing no? This project has been on the books now for how long? I was not around Winnipeg at the time so I've no idea how much public scrutiny it received then.

Would it make everyone happier if this was discussed more in the MSM? Would it make any difference?

The MSM applies journalistic scrutiny to the proposed new football stadium, the debate over saving the Jets, and then the debate over building a new downtown arena, etc. Discussion and debate is healthy. It engages people and ultimately benefits everyone. Cheerleading a project without critical debate and discussion is a disservice to the community, and it's morally repugnant especially when the project involves hundreds of millions of tax dollars, regardless of the spin-off benefits with construction jobs, etc. We have yet to see them publish a business plan. Why isn't the media demanding this? What are they afraid of? Where did this $300 million figure come from? Without a doubt, the project remains too vague for many people to care about, pro or con. You haven't been here since the project was initially going to be a holocaust museum, but many of us have followed it closely since day 1.

The MSM have been careful to report on this project because of the Aspers and their influences in numerous circles.

Originally, Izzy wanted a holocaust museum as a tribute to himself. (Jews would certainly contribute to such a thing).

After he died, the project morphed into whatever it is now, some undefineable message board for whomever controls the Board, but always remains a tribute to Izzy.

I say we have better things to spend money on.

If we have hundreds of painting sitting in storage and have decided to cancel a building to house them in, can the cancellation of this silly project be far behind? I sure hope so.

"can the cancellation of this silly project be far behind? I sure hope so"

you mean you sure hope its not far behind right?