September 28, 1999 

The Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien
Prime Minister of Canada
Room 309-S, Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 

Dear Prime Minister: 

SUBJECT: CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM 

Please find attached a copy of a letter dated September 23, 1999, which I have forwarded to the Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

You will no doubt be aware that in the Fall of 1997, controversy arose in respect of a plan put forward by the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC) which would provide for expansion of the Canadian War Museum.

In the opinion of the National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA), the plan did not make provision for sufficient space to display the valuable collection of museum artifacts and other material which would fulfil the need for an adequate portrayal of Canada's military heritage.

The main points in my letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage were: 

• The matter was referred to the Senate Sub-Committee on Veteran Affairs which commenced Hearings on February 2, 1998;
• The Hearings reached an apparent climax on February 6 with the appearance of Adrienne Clarkson, the then Chair of the Board of Trustees of the CMCC, and two days later with the appearance by the Heritage Minister who was quoted as saying that she was "open to major changes to the museum ...";
• In June, officials of the CMCC briefed the Canadian War Museum Advisory Committee (of which I am a member) regarding plans for a new War Museum at a planned cost of approximately $80 million, and
• On November 4, 1998, the Heritage Minister announced a gift of land near the Rockcliffe Air Force Base, but no details were given regarding Government financing.

On September 9 of this year, the Advisory Committee was informed that the Government had not, thus far, made a decision regarding financing.

Following news stories in The Globe and Mail and elsewhere, I made arrangements for a teleconference of executives of the National Council of Veteran Associations (36 organizations). We concluded, in that expansion of the Canadian War Museum had been a topic of major controversy, commencing with the Southam Commission Report of 1991, and creating national attention with the report of the CMCC's proposal, in November of 1997, that the Government has had ample time to make a decision regarding funding for any new museum.

More public debate followed the media reports to the effect that the Government was withholding any decision concerning financing. In particular, I refer to a major item on Global TV National News on September 23, 1999. The anchor, Peter Kent, stated: "Global News has learned that the plans to move Canada's modest and over-crowded National War Museum to a new and better location in Ottawa, now appear to be dead." Presumably, this conclusion was reached by Global TV's Chief Parliamentary Correspondent, Ms Diana Bishop. She had covered the opening of a new exhibit at the War Museum, at which you were present.

Her report made reference to the new war museum plan and stated: "... but the War Museum's Director (Jack Granatstein) says now there is no money to build it." Granatstein, in an interview on the program, stated: "I think history deserves to be treated better than this by this country." In a further statement, on the program, he said: "Do we even need private funding for a Government museum? In truth, the State should pay for the National Museums." My statement, regarding the new museum was as follows: "I can't give up on the idea. I represent 200,000 veterans. I mean, they're screaming that something has to be done. But I've given up on the idea, unless the government comes across very quickly, I've given up on the idea of an $80 million new war museum." It appears to me that officials of CMCC are now suggesting publicly that the Government is unable to support the $80 million plan. This matter was discussed in a teleconference meeting with executives of the National Council of Veteran Associations and I was directed to write this letter to you.

There is a feeling among some veterans' organizations, that the plan, which was advanced by officials of the CMCC, may not be practical at this time. This seems to be evident in regard to the difficulty in raising funds from the private sector.

It is the concern now of NCVA that if the $80 million plan is not practical, all hope of developing an adequate War Museum could be abandoned; or at least be subject to unconscionable delays

With respect, I would wish to provide some comments on the history of this situation. NCVA has been spending considerable time and effort, in the hope that the Government, acting in concert with veterans and other interested parties, could meet some of the recommendations of the 1991 Southam Commission on Military Museums.

It has, however, been nearly two years since the original expansion plan for the War Museum was announced to our organization. We are of the opinion that any further delay might result in losing the public momentum which had developed during and after the Hearings of the 1998 Senate Sub-Committee.

It is our suggestion, therefore, that if the existing federal budget situation precludes sufficient financing to make the new war museum a reality, the Government might look at other alternatives.

For example, the war art held by the War Museum might be transferred to the National Gallery and the National Archives. Another suggestion, heard by the Senate Sub-Committee, was the possible use of other federally-owned buildings, including the National Research Council.

May I refer back to the plan proposed by the CMCC officials which included the construction of a multi-million dollar edifice on the site graciously donated by the Federal Government. The War Museum Advisory Committee was presented with this plan and asked to raise $15 million. The suggestion advanced at subsequent meetings of the War Museum Advisory Committee was that if the Government could not meet the total financial cost, we might seek support for a lease-back arrangement to develop a new facility.

The Minutes of the Advisory Committee indicate that this plan could probably not be completed until at least the year 2003.

The problem we may now be facing is that relations between the government and veterans might be jeopardized by the position in which the Government has been placed by officials of the CMCC.

For example, should the Government be required to announce that it cannot meet the financial requirements, we hold the fear that we must examine public reaction. In the first place, this might lead to criticism of the Government. Secondly, some Canadians might consider that the $80 million plan was another attempt by veterans to "feed at the public trough," which might well create an adverse perception of veterans and the organizations which represent their interests.

This would be most unfortunate. In the first place, the $80 million plan was not put forward by veterans' organizations, but by officials of the CMCC.

Secondly, your Government has given every indication that it recognizes the contribution of Canada's veterans. The announcement regarding compensation for Hong Kong veterans, is a prime example. Also, Veterans Affairs Canada continues to provide excellent services for veterans and their families, including those of our Peacekeeping missions.

Perhaps it is understandable that NCVA considers that this entire dilemma may well have been the result of the CMCC's ill-conceived plan to install a Holocaust Gallery in the planned extension of the present museum. This proposal met with serious opposition, not only from veterans, but from the Jewish community as well.

We are aware, from correspondence forwarded to us, that officials of the Passing the Torch campaign, headed by the Friends of the Canadian War Museum (of which I am a Patron), have recently suggested a "letter-writing campaign" to Members of Parliament. Hopefully, the situation has not, and will not, deteriorate to the point where we see the development of severe pressure to force the Government to make a decision to support the $80 million plan, which may not be practical.

It is, therefore, the recommendation of NCVA that if the government is not able to provide sufficient financial support to develop a new war museum, Heritage Canada could be requested to study some less expensive proposals which would meet the need to promote and develop greater historical significance regarding our military heritage.

Yours sincerely,

H. Clifford Chadderton, CC, O.Ont., CAE, DCL, LLD
Chairman