Now is time for dreamers to step forward

Editorial as published by The Guardian on May 19, 2012
Gary MacDougall 

There are distinct fault lines in the debate over how the province should mark the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864. It is shaping up as a battle between economic realists, people who just want to have fun and dreamers. And so far the dreamers are missing in action.

A leaked memo says the organization promoting the 2014 celebrations wants to spend $75 million on a year-long party, with funding coming from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as the private sector and sponsors.

Once the memo became public, the potential funding sources became shy suitors, all quick to say they think the dollar figure is far too optimistic, especially in today's tough economic times.

The mere mention of the dollar figure has had opposition politicians leaping from their seats in the legislature, aghast at the thought of such extravagance in light of government cutbacks and job layoffs.

So far some of the potential plans for 2014 include a mega concert, a ramped-up Canada Day celebration broadcast nationally, a bid on a nationally televised awards show such as the Junos or the Country Music Awards, and a Montreal vs. Toronto NHL hockey game. You can also add a scattering of community celebrations to that mix.

It's early but is this the best we can come up with? Such events seem designed to fill campgrounds, concert sites, hotels, restaurants and bars, but certainly do nothing to satisfy our intellectual needs when it comes to history and culture.

The question needs to be asked, is 2014 just a golden sentimental opportunity to hawk the province and its charms to tourists; to make a big fuss and ensure a banner tourism season, like the ones we used to enjoy? Or is it a special moment in time, an opportunity to mark one of this country's most historic moments and P.E.I.'s place in it?

Missing so far in the discussions is any talk of a legacy project, which makes me yearn for 1964, which was the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. The crème de menthe of that anniversary was the opening of Confederation Centre of the Arts. And what a grand legacy it has been to the capital city and province with its stages and exhibition halls oozing culture for 50 years.

The thought that today's generation has neither the interest nor the foresight to think of a lasting legacy for the 150th anniversary is disheartening. It seems our ability to dream is caught up in an economic straitjacket.

Back in September of 1864, a circus competed for attention when the Fathers of Confederation were holding their historic deliberations. No one remembers the circus, but they do remember what the delegates to the conference started — the Confederation of Canada. One hundred years later we marked that historic meeting with the legacy that is Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Rather than have a return of the circus in 2014 in the form of concerts and other such tourism-driven initiatives, it is time for some serious thinking about a legacy project. A provincial museum would be a noble project or, if that's too costly, perhaps a rejuvenation of the precious heritage facilities that already exist in the province.

The people who benefit from 2014 should not be today's power brokers, it should be the generations that will follow. It's time for Prince Edward Islanders to get their thinking caps on.

Gary MacDougall is managing editor of The Guardian. He can be reached by telephone at (902) 629-6039 or by email at gmacdougall@theguardian.pe.ca.