Recently received from Green Party Leader, Sharon Labchuk the following statement:
The Greens support a public school curriculum that includes ecological literacy integrated with every subject. A provincial museum that included natural history would be a major resource for our schools and the education of all Islanders in understanding of the natural world around them.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Liberal Party Responds: Cultural Policy for PEI Needed
Thank you for providing the Liberal Party the opportunity of sharing our views on the important topic of a Provincial Museum, and the larger issue of protecting our heritage and culture in our province. We have attached our responses to your questionaire below.As Islanders will be examining the cultural policies of all parties, it is important that they know what your provincial museum policy is and vision for a provincial museum. To assist in this regard please provide a copy of your museum policy and answers to the following questions, as soon as possible so that Islanders may be better informed prior to election day.
Sincerely,
Liberal Party of PEI
The Legislative Assembly in 1983, created a provincial museum mandate, "to study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the people of the province." Since then, many aspects of this mandate have not been fulfilled, especially in the natural history area and the development of exhibition space to interpret existing collections. Despite this, the Legislative Assembly adopts annually a report from the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation, with no mention of many of the activities mandated by the Museum Act.
Question 1
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have the active provincial museum as mandated by the Legislature, that will study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island, and that sufficient funds and facilities to carry out its mandate will be provided.
The Liberal team believes that our culture and heritage defines who we are and where we come from. As a small Island surrounded by the influences of United States and larger Canadian centers, it is essential that we maintain and strengthen our commitment to our culture and heritage. A Liberal Government will undertake stakeholder consultations into the development of a P.E.I. Cultural Strategy, with an active provincial museum that includes the important area of natural history.
Question 2
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have an opportunity to see both permanent and changing exhibitions of the current artifacts within the existing Provincial Collection.
Liberals believe that the Conservative strategy of storing artifacts away from public viewing is short sighted and short changes Islanders, especially our youth, from learning more about our province’s unique and proud heritage. A Liberal Government will work to improve this situation by combining the need to preserve our artifacts and the need to make them accessible to Islanders.
Question 3
As museum development requires solid planning, please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have a provincial museum development plan that fulfills the mandate granted by the Legislature.
The Liberal team agrees with your assessment of the importance of solid planning to ensure making sound policy decisions. Certainly, the Conservative scheme to relocate the provincial artifactory in Murray River was ill-conceived and based more on political agendas then sound public policy. A Liberal Government will address the issue of sound planning by consulting with P.E.I. communities, museums, and our arts and cultural communities to explore options for a Provincial Museum, and consult with stakeholders in the development of a P.E.I. Cultural Strategy.
Question 4
Many Islanders since 1880 have called for a centrally-located,
adequately-resourced provincial museum building to tell the Island story (including natural history), exhibit the Island collection, and also to serve the various branches community museums and education system by creating exhibits to tour the province. Do you support this vision of a solid hub that can provide strength to the various spokes of a decentralized museum system?
Liberals support the concept of having a solid hub that can provide strength to our existing network of museums across our province. A Liberal Government will consider placing a moratorium on the construction of a new artifactory in Murray River and begin a consultation process with stakeholders to develop the most appropriate plan for a Provincial Museum.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Island New Democrats - respond
ISLAND NEW DEMOCRATS
81 Prince Street , Charlottetown , PE C1A 4R3
Tel. 902 566 2266
ndppei@pei.aibn.com
DEAN CONSTABLE, Party Leader
Question 1
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have the active provincial museum as mandated by the Legislature, that will study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island, and that sufficient funds and facilities to carry out its mandate will be provided.
If I gain the confidence of a majority of voters and receive the privilege of representing the citizens of District 12
Question 2
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have an opportunity to see both permanent and changing exhibitions of the current artifacts within the existing Provincial Collection.
I will personally study the large issue of Museums on
Question 3
Museum development requires solid planning, please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have a provincial museum development plan that fulfills the mandate granted by the Legislature.
I will support an immediate moratorium on the old Conservative Government’s plan to place the Provincial Storage facility (Artifactory) in the Premier’s home riding of
Question 4
Many Islanders since 1881 have called for a centrally-located, adequately-resourced provincial museum building to tell the Island story (including natural history), exhibit the
I support the concept of a strong and solid hub serving all the museums and their audiences across
Response from the PC Party of Prince Edward Island
May 22, 2007
Question 1
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have the active provincial museum as mandated by the Legislature, that will study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island, and that sufficient funds and facilities to carry out its mandate will be provided.
Response: Protecting our past and celebrating our heritage has always been a priority for Islanders and the Pat Binns Government.
Our Government will construct a new Artifactory in Murray River to ensure that over 80,000 Island artifacts are stored in a safe and secure facility. The Artifactory will work closely with the 7 Provincial Museums and 26 Community Museums to ensure the history of Prince Edward Island continues to be presented in communities throughout PEI. The new facility will contain: Environmentally controlled space for artifact storage.
Question 2
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have an opportunity to see both permanent and changing exhibitions of the current artifacts within the existing Provincial Collection.
Response: Collections management must always balance the sometimes competing goal of public education and the preservation of the artifact for future generations. We believe it is important for Islanders to have the opportunity to enjoy Island history and culture through the museum experience. Many of our museums such as Beaconsfield, Greenpark and Orwell Corner, serve as permanent exhibits that allow Islanders and visitors to immerse themselves in the past and glimpse what life was like for our early settlers. The continuous rotation of artifacts and exhibits adds variety to our museums, promotes interest and offers new perspectives, but also limits exposure to uncontrolled environments that compromise the physical integrity of the artifact. The new Artifactory will be a great asset to the PEI Museum and will provide much better conditions in which to store and conserve its collection while also delivering increased public exhibition space.
Question 3
As museum development requires solid planning, please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have a provincial museum development plan that fulfills the mandate granted by the Legislature.
Response: A Pat Binns Government looks forward to consulting with stakeholders and hearing the suggestions of all those in the public who share our goal of preserving and interpreting our Island’s rich heritage through the museum experience. We applaud the hard work done by the Friends of the PEI Museum and other like minded groups working to ensure that future generations of Islanders can also enjoy this cultural tradition.
Question 4
Many Islanders since 1880 have called for a centrally-located, adequately-resourced provincial museum building to tell the Island story (including natural history), exhibit the Island collection, and also to serve the various branches community museums and education system by creating exhibits to tour the province. Do you support this vision of a solid hub that can provide strength to the various spokes of a decentralized museum
system ?
Response: We believe that the PEI Museum and Heritage model of one museum with seven sites has been an effective way to preserve and exhibit the Island’s cultural and natural history. The team of professionals at the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, along its partners at the Community Museum Association, have done an excellent job preserving, conserving, and interpreting the Island’s heritage treasures within a system designed to take the greatest advantage of our rich history and small size. We look forward to the exciting time ahead. The construction of the new Artifactory will provide the surroundings and resources needed to manage the Museum’s collection. However, we are always interested in listening to proposals for changes to this model, including examining the concept of a single provincial museum site. The first step in this process would be the completion of public consultations and a business plan to determine viability.
Question 1
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have the active provincial museum as mandated by the Legislature, that will study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island, and that sufficient funds and facilities to carry out its mandate will be provided.
Response: Protecting our past and celebrating our heritage has always been a priority for Islanders and the Pat Binns Government.
Our Government will construct a new Artifactory in Murray River to ensure that over 80,000 Island artifacts are stored in a safe and secure facility. The Artifactory will work closely with the 7 Provincial Museums and 26 Community Museums to ensure the history of Prince Edward Island continues to be presented in communities throughout PEI. The new facility will contain: Environmentally controlled space for artifact storage.
- Conservation workshops.
- Exhibition construction facilities
- Workspace for the Collection Registrar
- Exhibition space for temporary exhibits.
Question 2
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have an opportunity to see both permanent and changing exhibitions of the current artifacts within the existing Provincial Collection.
Response: Collections management must always balance the sometimes competing goal of public education and the preservation of the artifact for future generations. We believe it is important for Islanders to have the opportunity to enjoy Island history and culture through the museum experience. Many of our museums such as Beaconsfield, Greenpark and Orwell Corner, serve as permanent exhibits that allow Islanders and visitors to immerse themselves in the past and glimpse what life was like for our early settlers. The continuous rotation of artifacts and exhibits adds variety to our museums, promotes interest and offers new perspectives, but also limits exposure to uncontrolled environments that compromise the physical integrity of the artifact. The new Artifactory will be a great asset to the PEI Museum and will provide much better conditions in which to store and conserve its collection while also delivering increased public exhibition space.
Question 3
As museum development requires solid planning, please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have a provincial museum development plan that fulfills the mandate granted by the Legislature.
Response: A Pat Binns Government looks forward to consulting with stakeholders and hearing the suggestions of all those in the public who share our goal of preserving and interpreting our Island’s rich heritage through the museum experience. We applaud the hard work done by the Friends of the PEI Museum and other like minded groups working to ensure that future generations of Islanders can also enjoy this cultural tradition.
Question 4
Many Islanders since 1880 have called for a centrally-located, adequately-resourced provincial museum building to tell the Island story (including natural history), exhibit the Island collection, and also to serve the various branches community museums and education system by creating exhibits to tour the province. Do you support this vision of a solid hub that can provide strength to the various spokes of a decentralized museum
system ?
Response: We believe that the PEI Museum and Heritage model of one museum with seven sites has been an effective way to preserve and exhibit the Island’s cultural and natural history. The team of professionals at the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, along its partners at the Community Museum Association, have done an excellent job preserving, conserving, and interpreting the Island’s heritage treasures within a system designed to take the greatest advantage of our rich history and small size. We look forward to the exciting time ahead. The construction of the new Artifactory will provide the surroundings and resources needed to manage the Museum’s collection. However, we are always interested in listening to proposals for changes to this model, including examining the concept of a single provincial museum site. The first step in this process would be the completion of public consultations and a business plan to determine viability.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Islanders wish to see the mandate of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation fulfilled.
Blog editorial - by Ian Scott
With the release of the Institute of Island Studies' report of their province-wide consultations on the state of the provincial museum on PEI, it is clear that Islanders wish to see the mandate of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation fulfilled.
A museum planning study is needed and continues to be called for by concerned Islanders. In reality the provincial government, continues to vote down the subject of a planning study every time it is raised in the Legislature.
The members of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation at their AGM recently voted for such a study and for a moratorium until this process has been concluded.
The government-appointed board which operates the Museum has since concluded that policies of the Museum as determined at the AGM are merely suggestions they might consider adopting - or not.
Clearly there are jurisdictional issues to be resolved when the votes of members are meaningless at a legally constituted meeting of the organization, and a board charged with governing the Museum, can reject outright the policies thus adopted by the organization.
These actions beg the question - what is the meaning of membership?
Meanwhile, all this controversy does little to restore support for the Museum, which has just completed a major campaign to try and turn the tide of declining membership renewals.
With the release of the Institute of Island Studies' report of their province-wide consultations on the state of the provincial museum on PEI, it is clear that Islanders wish to see the mandate of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation fulfilled.
A museum planning study is needed and continues to be called for by concerned Islanders. In reality the provincial government, continues to vote down the subject of a planning study every time it is raised in the Legislature.
The members of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation at their AGM recently voted for such a study and for a moratorium until this process has been concluded.
The government-appointed board which operates the Museum has since concluded that policies of the Museum as determined at the AGM are merely suggestions they might consider adopting - or not.
Clearly there are jurisdictional issues to be resolved when the votes of members are meaningless at a legally constituted meeting of the organization, and a board charged with governing the Museum, can reject outright the policies thus adopted by the organization.
These actions beg the question - what is the meaning of membership?
Meanwhile, all this controversy does little to restore support for the Museum, which has just completed a major campaign to try and turn the tide of declining membership renewals.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Questions for the Campaign Trail
With a provincial election underway, the policies of the various parties regarding a provincial museum for PEI are becoming a campaign issue for many Islanders.
If you happen to see anyone in the campaign mode perhaps the following questions would be appropriate.
The Legislative Assembly in 1983, created a provincial museum mandate, "to study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the people of the province." Since then, many aspects of this mandate have not been fulfilled, especially in the natural history area and the development of exhibition space to interpret existing collections. Despite this, the Legislative Assembly adopts annually a report from the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation, with no mention of many of the activities mandated by the Museum Act.
Question 1
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have the active provincial museum as mandated by the Legislature, that will study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island, and that sufficient funds and facilities to carry out its mandate will be provided.
Question 2
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have an opportunity to see both permanent and changing exhibitions of the current artifacts within the existing Provincial Collection.
Question 3
As museum development requires solid planning, please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have a provincial museum development plan that fulfills the mandate granted by the Legislature.
Question 4
Many Islanders since 1880 have called for a centrally-located, adequately-resourced provincial museum building to tell the Island story (including natural history), exhibit the Island collection, and also to serve the various branches community museums and education system by creating exhibits to tour the province. Do you support this vision of a solid hub that can provide strength to the various spokes of a decentralized museum system ?
If you happen to see anyone in the campaign mode perhaps the following questions would be appropriate.
The Legislative Assembly in 1983, created a provincial museum mandate, "to study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the people of the province." Since then, many aspects of this mandate have not been fulfilled, especially in the natural history area and the development of exhibition space to interpret existing collections. Despite this, the Legislative Assembly adopts annually a report from the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation, with no mention of many of the activities mandated by the Museum Act.
Question 1
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have the active provincial museum as mandated by the Legislature, that will study, collect, preserve, interpret, and protect the human and natural history of Prince Edward Island, and that sufficient funds and facilities to carry out its mandate will be provided.
Question 2
Please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have an opportunity to see both permanent and changing exhibitions of the current artifacts within the existing Provincial Collection.
Question 3
As museum development requires solid planning, please indicate what your government would do to ensure that Prince Edward Islanders have a provincial museum development plan that fulfills the mandate granted by the Legislature.
Question 4
Many Islanders since 1880 have called for a centrally-located, adequately-resourced provincial museum building to tell the Island story (including natural history), exhibit the Island collection, and also to serve the various branches community museums and education system by creating exhibits to tour the province. Do you support this vision of a solid hub that can provide strength to the various spokes of a decentralized museum system ?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Certain things belong in the capital
as published in The Guardian - April 21, 2007
FRANK MACDONALD Cornwall
Editor:
Before a provincial museum is announced for Boughton Island, I’d like to express my opinion on the artifactory debate, which is more ‘artifice’ than artifactory, considering the number of things that don’t pass the smell test.
I’m not city-born, but I would submit that certain things belong in a political capital. They just do. When I was five, I would have liked the provincial airport to locate in neighbouring fields so I could watch planes land. For efficiency and other reasons, such a facility didn’t belong in a remote location any more than an artifactory does. Does the Charlottetown Leon’s store have its warehouse in Murray River?
The museum debate is degenerating into more ‘Charlottetown-bashing’ and attempts at one-upmanship by other areas, manifested by such actions as enlisting interest in building a hotel that is higher, by one storey, than Charlottetown’s highest or creating a second university. Where is our civic pride regarding our capital? The placement of an artifactory and museum in Charlottetown is not a zero-sum gain in which the capital wins at the expense of other centres.
There are many locations in the capital for a combined museum and artifactory facility or for separate facilities. The vast wastelands of eastern Grafton Street would be logical for a combined version and would provide a pleasant respite from the restaurants that proliferate. Another location, and it is provincially owned, is the field alongside the west side of University Avenue in front of Holland College Royalty Centre. The corner of Great George and Richmond streets, currently a parking lot for about 50 vehicles, also presents a logical site. A museum there would also be a good fit for the increasing number of cruise ship visitors. Acquiring that spot would entail MLAs giving up the parking spaces that are provided for them there during legislative sessions. Can these people bestow such a legacy?
A reason cited for the artifactory’s location in Murray River is that ACOA funding of $3 million is available only for that location. Perhaps the premier can convince ACOA’s new provincial manager, Pat Dorsey, his former chief of staff, to lift that restriction.
FRANK MACDONALD Cornwall
Editor:
Before a provincial museum is announced for Boughton Island, I’d like to express my opinion on the artifactory debate, which is more ‘artifice’ than artifactory, considering the number of things that don’t pass the smell test.
I’m not city-born, but I would submit that certain things belong in a political capital. They just do. When I was five, I would have liked the provincial airport to locate in neighbouring fields so I could watch planes land. For efficiency and other reasons, such a facility didn’t belong in a remote location any more than an artifactory does. Does the Charlottetown Leon’s store have its warehouse in Murray River?
The museum debate is degenerating into more ‘Charlottetown-bashing’ and attempts at one-upmanship by other areas, manifested by such actions as enlisting interest in building a hotel that is higher, by one storey, than Charlottetown’s highest or creating a second university. Where is our civic pride regarding our capital? The placement of an artifactory and museum in Charlottetown is not a zero-sum gain in which the capital wins at the expense of other centres.
There are many locations in the capital for a combined museum and artifactory facility or for separate facilities. The vast wastelands of eastern Grafton Street would be logical for a combined version and would provide a pleasant respite from the restaurants that proliferate. Another location, and it is provincially owned, is the field alongside the west side of University Avenue in front of Holland College Royalty Centre. The corner of Great George and Richmond streets, currently a parking lot for about 50 vehicles, also presents a logical site. A museum there would also be a good fit for the increasing number of cruise ship visitors. Acquiring that spot would entail MLAs giving up the parking spaces that are provided for them there during legislative sessions. Can these people bestow such a legacy?
A reason cited for the artifactory’s location in Murray River is that ACOA funding of $3 million is available only for that location. Perhaps the premier can convince ACOA’s new provincial manager, Pat Dorsey, his former chief of staff, to lift that restriction.
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