Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que. (2007). Award of excellence winner from the Illumination Engineering Society of North America.
Politics Insider delivers premium analysis and access to Canada's policymakers and politicians. Visit the Politics Insider homepage for insight available only to subscribers.
We use history as a way to argue about the present, which explains the arguments over the new Canadian Museum of History.
The bill that would give the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau a new name and a mandate cleared the heritage committee this week–with the Conservatives voting down all proposed opposition amendments–and could become law by the end of the month. (Although the final vote may be held over to the fall.)
Previous directors of the Museum of Civilization think the change of name and mandate is a terrible idea. Victor Rabinovich, who was president from 2000 to 2011, described the rebranding as "deeply worrying" when he testified before the committee last week.
George MacDonald, the founding director, called the changeover "a stab in the back."
Mr. Rabinovich and others maintain that turning "civilization" into "history" will limit the museum's mandate, which includes exploring and explaining contemporary culture as well as past influences.
And then there is the question of trust – or lack of it – in Tory intentions.
"This government has a fixation with a certain tranche of history," said NDP Deputy Heritage Critic Andrew Cash in an interview.
The Conservative historical world view plays down Liberal accomplishments such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, while elevating martial valour and northern sovereignty.
Critics fear that, under the Harper government's watchful eye, the new Canadian Museum of History will become a propaganda machine for the current dynasty.
"We have no reason to hope and trust that they are going to maintain the independence of the museum and allow it to continue the great work that it's done," Mr. Cash said.
This puzzles Mark O'Neill, who is busy with the planning that will see a completely revamped museum ready for Canada's sesquicentennial in 2017.
The current exhibits, maintains the museum's president and CEO, are weak on both pre-settler history and recent events. "If anything, the museum will bring more contemporary history to visitors than it does now," he said in an interview.
Is he worried about possible government interference? "Absolutely not," Mr. O'Neill replied.
The Museums Act, he pointed out, makes it illegal for a minister or a government to interfere in the operations of a museum, once it has established funding and mandate.
Heritage Minister James Moore made the same point at the heritage committee. The real issue, he said in an interview, is that the Museum of Civilization "has lost its drive, has lost its focus." The new mission aims to "rejuvenate the museum and give it a new direction," he said.
The Conservatives helped fund the Museum of Nature's expansion and modernization; it heavily supported the new immigration museum at Pier 21 in Halifax, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg opens next year.
But there have been cutbacks at the national library and archives. And it is true that the Conservatives have used government money and influence to imbue the national portrait with a bluish tint. If you want evidence, just look at the image on the back of the old $20 bill (the Spirit of Haida Gwaii ) and the new (the memorial at Vimy Ridge.)
That is the prerogative of power. Successive Liberal governments used their money and influence to depict Canada as a nation of peacekeepers. This Conservative government prefers to emphasize the sacrifices of Canadian men and women in wartime.
We'll find out in 2017, when the exhibits of the new Museum of History are fully on display, whether the fears of the critics are justified. But at least there is likely to be less dust.