The Government of Canada Supports Ottawa’s Museums

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(EMWNews – Aug. 20, 2008) – Residents and visitors to Ottawa will benefit from better access to the collections of 11 Ottawa-area museums, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

Local Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and Canada’s Environment Minister, John Baird, along with the Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton Pierre Poilievre, today announced funding for the City of Ottawa museums collections management project. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie.

Funding of $61,100 will support the City of Ottawa’s centralized collections management system project for 11 Ottawa area museums: Billings Estate National Historic Site, Nepean Museum, Bytown Museum, Diefenbunker Museum, Goulbourn Museum, Watson’s Mill Museum, Osgoode Museum, Museoparc Vanier, the Ottawa Worker’s Heritage Centre, Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site. Part of the funding will also be used to preserve a collection of 4000 historic books belonging to the Billings Estate National Historical Site.

“By investing in our heritage, we provide Canadians with opportunities to learn about our shared history,” said Minister Verner. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support this project, which will improve access to the collections of these valuable cultural institutions.”

“I’m pleased to be here today at my home-town museum, the Nepean Museum, to announce funding that will aid in preserving the rich cultural history of our City,” said Minister Baird. “It is a priority for me personally, as a life-long resident of this City, to ensure that Ottawa’s treasures remain well preserved and protected.”

“It is essential that we take special care to preserve the documents and objects that tell our country’s stories,” said Mr. Poilievre. “The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of investing in museums.”

“The support of the Department of Canadian Heritage is essential and much appreciated. As a result of this project, museum staff, researchers, residents, and visitors from all over the world will be able to browse the city’s collective heritage on-line,” said Gilles Seguin, Heritage Program Manager, Cultural Services and Community Funding. “This will greatly improve access to Ottawa’s heritage and accomplishments.”

The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Museums Assistance Program. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.