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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.