| 1983 |
The War Trophies building of the museum is demolished to make way for the new home of the National Gallery of Canada. |
| 1990 |
The federal government appoints a task force that recommends "a new building be constructed to house the museum's research collections, as well as its library, research, curatorial, conservation and administrative functions". |
| 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. |
| February, 2 1998 |
The matter was referred to the Senate Sub-Committee on Veterans 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 by the appearance of the Heritage Minister who was quoted as saying that she was "open to major changes in the museum..". |
| June 1998 |
The final report of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs recommends that "a survey of alternative sites for the Canadian War Museum be conducted by the appropriate government department or agency and be reported to the Senate". |
| June 1998 |
Officials of the CMCC briefed the Canadian War Museum Advisory Committee regarding plans for a new War Museum at a planned cost of approximately $80 million. |
| September 9, 1998 |
Advisory Committee was informed that the Government had not, thus far, made a decision regarding financing. |
| November 4, 1998 |
Heritage Minister announced a gift of land near the Rockcliffe Air Force Base, but no details were given regarding Government financing. |
| September 15, 1999 |
Jack Granatstein tells Ottawa Citizen and other media that plans for a new War Museum have hit a snag due to corporations and large foundations being unwilling to donate until Government puts up its share of the funding. |
| March 13, 2000 |
Jack Granatstein announced that he would not seek a second term as the Canadian War Museum Director and CEO. |
| March 16, 2000 |
Heritage Minister Sheila Copps announces that the Federal Government intends to spend $58 million over the next five years to help build the new War Museum. The federal contribution will grow from $1 million in each of the three years to $24 million in the fourth year and $31 million in the fifth. |
| May 17, 2000 |
Joe Geurts is announced as CEO of the Canadian War Museum. |
| November 7, 2000 |
Dr. John English, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation launches the architectural selection process, inviting interested firms to submit their bids to build the new War Museum. The museum will determine the top five contenders based on a 25-page report highlighting the interested firms' qualifications and relevant experience, and those firms will be asked to submit a proposal. |
| November 16, 2000 |
Cliff Chadderton resigns from the Canadian War Museum Committee which was established to oversee the construction of a new War Museum. |
| February 18, 2001 |
Ottawa Citizen reports Federal Government considering a new location for the Canadian War Museum, from Rockcliffe Parkway to LeBreton Flats. |
| March 10, 2001 |
Cliff Chadderton is quoted in Ottawa Sun and Citizen that he approves of LeBreton Flats site as long as Government picks up the tab. |
| May 15, 2001 |
Heritage Minister, Sheila Copps, announces the new location for the War Museum at LeBreton Flats. The total cost, estimated at $105.7 million, will be funded as follows:
- $83.75 million from the Government of Canada
- $7 million from the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
- $15 million from the Passing the Torch Campaign.
The Government also announced that it is allocating $99 million for the cleanup of LeBreton Flats. |
| August 28, 2001 |
The Museum of Civilization releases the shortlist of five Canadian architectural teams who will compete to construct the new War Museum. They have been given one month to expand on how they plan to undertake the project with particular emphasis on budget and then will make presenta-tions to the museum building committee. A winner will be picked by the end of October. |
| October 23, 2001 |
The Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation announce that the joint venture of the firms of Moriyama & Teshima Architects of Toronto and Griffiths Rankin Cook Architects of Ottawa has been selected to design the new Canadian War Museum. |
| December 13, 2001 |
Architects are quoted in the Ottawa Citizen as considering a "crystal fortress" design for the War Museum but stress they have not produced any designs yet. |
| February 7, 2002 |
Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum, announced that the firm Haley Sharpe Associates in partnership with Origin Studios has been chosen to design the exhibitions in the new Canadian War Museum. |
| May 14, 2002 |
The Canadian War Museum unveils three architectural design concepts for the new War Museum and invites the public to respond. |
| May 26, 2002 |
The Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation meets and concludes that a final decision on the design of the new War Museum cannot yet be made. The Board asks the architects to refine some of the ideas in the three designs and to respond quickly. A news conference planned for May 27th to announce the final design is cancelled. |
| June 10, 2002 |
Cliff Chadderton guest column printed in Ottawa Citizen, "Is New Museum Still On Track? Trustees Plagued by Indecision May Not Produce Coherent Plan". |
| August 7, 2002 |
Final design concept for the new Canadian War Museum presented. The theme "regeneration". |
| November 5, 2002 |
Launch of construction ceremony of the new Canadian War Museum. |
| February 26, 2003 |
Ottawa Citizen article "New War Museum's Cost Is Over Budget" indicates museum appears to be headed for tens of millions of dollars in cost overruns. |
| May 21, 2003 |
Presentation of the exhibition design concept for the War Museum. |
| May 22, 2003 |
Ottawa Citizen article "Cost of War Museum Jumps $30 M". Article notes the extra $30 M will be borne by the Federal Government. Constructions costs are blamed for this 28% increase to $135 million. |
| July 2003 |
Columnist Douglas Fisher's nationally syndicated column lists current situation with Canadian War Museum as one of his pet peeves, quoting Cliff Chadderton's concerns about a "Taj Mahal mentality" taking over. |
| November 5, 2003 |
Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable John Manley, joined others for ceremonial final pour of concrete onto the roof of War Museum. |
| November 23, 2003 |
Ottawa Sun columnist Greg Weston article "The Cost of War - If the new War Museum's price keeps rising, it will be a monument to government waste as well as Canada's military history". |
| November 28, 2003 |
Cliff Chadderton's letter to the editor suggesting the new Canadian War Museum should be taken out of the hands of the Museum of Civilization and turned over to public-spirited Canadians is printed as letter of the day in the Ottawa Sun, which notes "it's obviously time for someone else to take over the reins". |