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(Extract)

The Canada History Centre is being created to address a gap in the telling of our political and democratic history, which is often presented in a fragmented manner. The Centre will integrate knowledge of Canada's political and civic past and will better equip Canadians to know who we are as individuals and as citizens of a great country and to participate knowledgeably in the Canadian democratic process.

The Canada History Centre will draw on the collections of the Library and Archives of Canada as well as those of museums and other cultural organizations from across the country. Many of the items in these collections have never been viewed before by the public.

While physically located in Ottawa, the Canada History Centre will reach out to Canadians from coast to coast to coast through an ambitious national outreach program using the latest technological innovations as well as traveling exhibitions, research groups and forums for discussion.

The Canada History Centre will promote debate on Canada's history from diverse perspectives. It will focus on our leaders, statesmen and stateswomen and political processes and institutions as well as on grassroots organizations and people from all walks of life who have shaped Canada's distinct model of democracy and governance.

The Centre will use creative, interactive and dynamic activities to ignite a passion for Canada's history. It will provide an integrated knowledge base for those who seek to interpret Canada and its evolution as a modern, democratic country.

The Canada History Centre will promote a heightened awareness, increased understanding and greater appreciation of Canada and its citizens. The Centre will take a leadership role in bringing together the people and organizations that explore Canada's history and will use new technologies to reach out to every Canadian through interactive activities and the Internet.

The Canada History Centre will be located in the current Government Conference Centre at 2 Rideau Street, Ottawa, which has been the stage for many events of national significance, notably numerous constitutional conferences. Its architecture offers enormous possibilities for the development of such a state-of-the-art national cultural institution as the Canada History Centre.

The Government is spending approximately $50 million over the next five years for the development of the museum components of the Centre. Approximately $40 million in additional funding is required for long-overdue renovations to ensure this heritage building can be used as a public venue.