Government mismanagement of the file has wasted $13 million

OTTAWA – In reaction to the government’s cancelation of the Portrait Gallery of Canada, New Democrat MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) pointed out the financial cost of government’s mistakes on the file and called for a return to the original plan. 

“The government has taken the final step in cancelling the Portrait Gallery of Canada as a cultural institution” said Dewar.  “This is a wrongheaded approach that kills a commitment to Canada’s culture while wasting millions of dollars”.

The original plan for hosting the institution at the Former American Embassy building was well advanced for completion by December 2007 before the Conservatives cancelled the project.  By that time $11.4 million had been spent on renovating the building.  Costs totalling $4.5 million were exclusive to the use of the building as a portrait gallery and were completely lost once the direction was changed.  

Furthermore, the competition between a number of Canadian cities seeking the opportunity to host the gallery cost the Canadian government further $1.9 million.

“After years of changing the direction on the portrait gallery, the Former American Embassy building sits empty as a testament to the government’s lack of commitment to arts and culture” said Dewar. 

“Previous mistakes must be corrected by returning to the original plan for hosting the gallery at the Former American Embassy building. The original design plans can be used, saving $11.4 million in costs already incurred by the government.  And the gallery would create jobs and promote tourism in the Nation’s Capital at a time of economic hardship”.