Statement made on 12 June 2012 by Senator Maria Chaput
Hon. Maria Chaput:
Honourable senators, in the case of Riel House, I do understand that the building itself is not closing. What Parks Canada is doing is cancelling the contract it had with the St. Boniface Historical Society to provide that service.
It cost Parks Canada $56,000 a year to have someone on site from March until the end of October to recruit volunteers, coordinate fundraising activities and provide personalized service in French in Manitoba to promote that province's Métis community. That service will no longer be provided. I understand: the house will remain open and there will be information panels, but the staff member will no longer be there to recruit volunteers and plan promotional activities during the summer months.
Does this not have a negative effect on the promotion of this historic site, which is dedicated to Louis Riel's story? Is this not contrary to what the federal government should be doing to support these communities?
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