RCMP Heritage Centre getting closer to becoming national museum

Officials from the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina are hoping it soon can get approval to transition into a national museum.

Tara Robinson, the CEO of the facility, has been put in charge of attempting to convert it into Canada’s newest national museum.

For the last little bit, she says she has been collecting data for what the public would want to see if the museum became a reality.

“Nine in 10 survey respondents say the museum should pay tribute to the dedication, duty and service of generations of Canadian Mounties both past and present. It means they want to talk about the history and modern-day policing,” she said on Wednesday’s Greg Morgan Morning Show.

“Eighty-four per cent also agreed that the museum should reflect a broad and diverse set of perspectives. Seventy-six per cent say that it should support efforts in reconciliation between the RCMP and Canada’s Indigenous people. And more than seven in 10 people agreed the museum should explore the historical and present-day relationships between the RCMP and marginalized communities.”

Robinson says the data that has been collected has been submitted to the federal government. She added the ball is now in the feds’ court to give the museum the green light.

“We’ve created this business case for it and we’ve put it in a package and wrapped it up in a big red bow and now it’s sitting in front of the federal government,” she said. “Right now, we know the feds are in budget deliberations and this is going to be part of that decision-making.

“We’re hoping (federal officials) understand that there are only two national museums outside of the Ottawa region right now and it’s really important as a country to have aspects of our culture and heritage that exist outside of the country’s capital region.”

Robinson said this is the furthest the Heritage Centre has ever got in its attempt to become a national museum.