The Liberal Senate Forum

Statements & Hansard

Library and Archives of Canada Act

More on...

Share

Feedback

Read the comments left on this page or add yours.
Statement made on 28 April 2009 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley

Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:

Honourable senators, I would like to thank Senator Grafstein for introducing this bill, and I would like to add my support for the bill and encourage its swift passage.

Bill S-201 would amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act to provide for the establishment of a permanent display in the city of Ottawa of portraits and works related to portraiture from the collection from the Library and Archives of Canada.

The permanent display is to be called the "National Portrait Gallery," and under the provisions of the bill would be located on the site of the former American embassy on Wellington Street.

Honourable senators, it has been eight years since former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien acknowledged the need for a national portrait gallery and, to my dismay, it still has not been established. I encourage colleagues not to let partisan politics play a role in this issue and to support the establishment of the national portrait gallery.

Recently, in answer to a question in Question Period about the national portrait gallery posed by Senator Mahovlich, the Leader of the Government said:

Given the current economic situation, the uncertainty in the country, and the fact that people in this country are facing job losses and difficult economic conditions, I do not believe that it is prudent for the government to even consider proceeding with this proposal or project at this time.

I beg to differ with my honourable colleague. Perhaps given the work that has been previously done toward the preparation of the site of the former American embassy at the location for the national portrait gallery of Canada, it lends itself well to an infrastructure project that could be quickly started. This project would also help stimulate the economy by creating jobs and encouraging tourism.

The question I always have at these times is why Canadians need a reason to celebrate our culture and our heritage. The former American embassy building is a beautiful site with a prime location in the National Capital Region and, in my view, would be an excellent location to permanently house our national treasures. A permanent location would protect these treasures to ensure that they are preserved and made accessible for the enjoyment of all Canadians now and into the future.

Canadians deserve to have a national portrait gallery to present the wonderful diversity of individuals who have left and are leaving their mark on our culture and heritage. I encourage honourable senators to support this bill.

Recent Statements from Liberal Senators

Economic Benefits of Recreational Atlantic Salmon Fishing—Inquiry

17 May, 2012 | By Senator Wilfred Moore | Honourable senators, I am pleased to join in the debate of the inquiry commenced by the Honourable Michael A. Meighen regarding the economic benefits of recreational Atlantic salmon fishing in Canada.

Second reading of Bill S-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Nuclear Terrorism Act)

17 May, 2012 | By Senator Roméo Dallaire | Honourable senators, yes indeed, you are going to have to put up with me for another 45 minutes, but I will try to do as my friends in the U.S. Marines taught me. I will try to power talk my way through this and curtail my time.

RADARSAT Satellite and Communication Projects

17 May, 2012 | By Senator Roméo Dallaire | Has the Prime Minister developed a policy whereby he committed to monitor the Arctic, but now that it is time to allocate funding, he has changed his basic philosophy regarding the desire to move forward on the issue of Arctic sovereignty?

Arctic Research

17 May, 2012 | By Senator Claudette Tardif | Why would the government invest in infrastructure in the Arctic without a plan for keeping these important facilities operational?

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

17 May, 2012 | By Senator Elizabeth Hubley | Is this just another example of the government's preference for ideological rather than evidence-based decision making?
« 1 2 3 4 5  ... » 
Recycle

You can retrieve this page at:
http://www.liberalsenate.ca/In-The-Senate/Statement/4510_Library-and-Archives-of-Canada-Act.
Please recycle this document.