SAVOIE WELCOMES FUNDING FOR ROYAL BC MUSEUM

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s natural and social history will be safeguarded a little better after the federal government committed its support for building upgrades at the Royal BC Museum, said Victoria MP Denise Savoie.

“After meeting with museum staff on several occasions over the past few years, I know that they have ambitious plans to not only preserve our treasured heritage, but also to present it to our citizens and the world with pride and distinction,” said Savoie. “Now the RCBM has the resources it needs to move forward and share our story with the same passion and style a new generation and millions more visitors.”

Savoie, who is in Ottawa relaying input from her constituents to her caucus colleagues in spite of the prorogation of Parliament, said that while the formal announcement by a government MP from outside the riding appears opportunistic, what is important is that the RCBM receive the support it deserves from the federal government.

“I would prefer fewer attempts to pass off objectively-merited government funding as the work uniquely of the government party,” said Savoie. “But I am pleased that this important grant has come through and recognizes as I have the exceptional contribution of the RBCM to our Victoria community and the province as a whole.”

The $1.8-million grant comes from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, which is mandated to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.