• CTF calls Canada History Centre announcement "unfortunate and unnecessary"
  
• Money could have been better allocated among existing museums

OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has reacted to today's announcement by Prime Minister Jean Chretien that $50 million will be allocated over five years to support the new Canada History Centre - along with another $40 million in structural renovations - to be located in the historic Government Conference Centre in downtown Ottawa.

Announcement is "unfortunate and unnecessary"
" Today's announcement is bewildering in the extreme. It is unfortunate and unnecessary," said CTF federal director Walter Robinson. "This city is teaming with museums and when it comes to Canada's political and institutional history, the Houses of Parliament, the Governor General's residence, the Canada and the World Pavillion, the Supreme Court and numerous other museums and interpretation centres throughout this region already tell the story of our collective democratic history and growth."

"Let's be very clear, this announcement is first and foremost about the Prime Minister's political legacy. We wonder if the museum will have a floor devoted to Canada's greatest political scandals The last decade of government in this country alone could fill several floors," added Robinson.

Government's role in protecting and promoting national treasures
" Not for a moment do we discount the legitimate and important role the Government of Canada plays in its annual $286 million funding of the National Gallery, the Museum of Civilization, the Museum of Nature and several other centres," Robinson stressed. "However, at the end of the day governing is about setting priorities, and today's announcement just doesn't make the cut."