Bad optics? B.C. government under fire again for $800M museum rebuild
For the second day in a row the NDP government was under fire for its decision to replace a museum at a cost of $800 million, with both opposition parties on the offensive, but for very different reasons.
Bad optics, bad math, bad planning. That's how BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon characterized the plan to replace the Royal BC Museum. He questioned whether the project can come in at the $789 million price tag, because a business case and designs haven't been made public.
"If this premier is so stubbornly wanting to go ahead with one of the dumbest capital decisions I've seen since they cancelled the 10-lane Massey bridge that would have been opening this summer," Falcon started during Question Period Tuesday, "Then British Columbians deserve to see a full and unredacted business case."
Melanie Mark, the minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport told reporters the business case will be released this week.
"We looked at all the factors. The idea of whether we update the museum was considered, whether we move to another community but the decision that was given to us, sorry the advice given to us, was that we rebuild the museum," she added.
The BC Greens raised a different concern. Adam Olson, the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands pointed out many of the so-called artifacts here in Victoria are important cultural pieces stolen from First Nations. He also pointed out that a recent review found Indigenous people working at the museum faced racism.
"This announcement brought me to tears multiple times this weekend, right here," said Olson in the chamber, as he pointed to his chest. "The cultural significance that museums and the premier call 'artifacts' are not oddities from another century. They are meaningful to our living and breathing cultures."
The province insisted the re-build is part of the reconciliation process.
"All members in these chambers voted for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people. We are going to do things differently. That includes repatriation. That is a part of our action plan," added Mark, referencing the province's plan to deal with reconciliation.
On Friday when the province announced the plan to make the museum accessible and bring it up to code, several First Nations leaders voiced their support.
The province plans to consult on different aspects of the rebuild and has so far given no sign of backing down on the decision to rebuild the museum.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.