Canada is not serious

[Leafless]

Now this from Michael Fortier, the minister of Public Works: "The government is launching an open and transparent process to encourage proposals from developers in one of nine cities for the development of the Portrait Gallery of Canada. We want to ensure that we obtain maximum impact from every tax dollar spent by taking advantage of private sector support and expertise."

There, in its exquisite agony, is the saga of the portrait gallery -- and us. First, we learn anew, this is not the National Portrait Gallery. That's because "national" and Canada are now inconsistent. While the demise of "national" in this and other institutions did not begin with the Conservatives, they gave it ballast a year ago when they asked Parliament to recognize Quebec as "a nation" within Canada.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.ht...cb0&k=81676

And to think Mr. Harper (selling out Canada's national capital Ottawa) is actually contributing to the delegation of power by central government to local or regional administration in what can be seen as nothing more than a cheap ploy to buy votes.

Where is the federal national leadership Canada so desperately requires?

Edited November 13, 2007 by Leafless

[Smallc]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.ht...cb0&k=81676

And to think Mr. Harper (selling out Canada's national capital Ottawa) is actually contributing to the delegation of power by central government to local or regional administration in what can be seen as nothing more than a cheap ploy to buy votes.

Where is the federal national leadership Canada so desperately requires?

Oh yes, a portrait gallery is very central to the control of the country.....

[old_bold&cold]

Personally I like the idea of these sort of things to be moved away form Ottawa. These are potraits that belong to all Canada, and they should have the chance for all places in Canada to submitt a gallery to display them. Right now they are actually in Gatineau Que, in a controlled conditions storage facility. It would be great if maybe several places were built across the country and the paintings then could be shared so everyone in all areas can have a chance to see them. I like Harpers idea way more then using the old USA embassy as a gallery. We have way too many museums here in the capital, such that most tourists do not get to see them all and rather pick and choose from the long list of what to see. Time for a cultural exchange between the provinces and Ottawa to show and share all of this among the people of Canada.

[M.Dancer]

Personally I like the idea of these sort of things to be moved away form Ottawa. These are potraits that belong to all Canada, and they should have the chance for all places in Canada to submitt a gallery to display them. .

I agree. Ottawa already is overweighted with national icons.....move them to Toronto so all of Canada can enjoy them.

(sarcasm)

[GostHacked]

There should be a network of galleries in major cities across Canada. The items can be shipped to different places, or have some of these items do a tour of the galleries. One month, here in Ottawa, another month in Toronto, another in Calgary, ect ect..... Canada is not a small country, and travelling from BC to Ottawa just to see paintings is a long long haul.

This would sound like a great idea to me.

[guyser]

I agree. Ottawa already is overweighted with national icons.....move them to Toronto so all of Canada can enjoy them.

(sarcasm)

I'd rather they stay in Ottawa. Lord knows without the museums what would there be to do?

How about a roaming display to many cities.That way those that cannot afford to travel to Ottawa, or dont want to, can see some of the things.

I 'd rather they stay there then when I do go, I have all that to look forward too.

[M.Dancer]

I'd rather they stay in Ottawa. Lord knows without the museums what would there be to do?

How about a roaming display to many cities.That way those that cannot afford to travel to Ottawa, or dont want to, can see some of the things.

I 'd rather they stay there then when I do go, I have all that to look forward too.

Going to Ottawa is a punishment we inflict on Politicians for their hubris. It should not be made less dreary than natured intended.

[guyser]

Going to Ottawa is a punishment we inflict on Politicians for their hubris. It should not be made less dreary than natured intended.

Could you imagine the lack of culture or fun if they didnt have Quebec next door?

[geoffrey]

There should be a network of galleries in major cities across Canada. The items can be shipped to different places, or have some of these items do a tour of the galleries. One month, here in Ottawa, another month in Toronto, another in Calgary, ect ect..... Canada is not a small country, and travelling from BC to Ottawa just to see paintings is a long long haul.

I second this. Or perhaps, we could just go to existing private galleries and the national potraits can be leased to these locations temporarily, much like museum displays travel.

No need to build new infrastructure, just have these portraits travel to private galleries.

[M.Dancer]

Could you imagine the lack of culture or fun if they didnt have Quebec next door?

I've been to Hull and back. Hull is there so that people in Ottawa can be thankful they live in Ottawa....mind you, Montrealis just a couple of hours away.

[Higgly]

I don't mind all this stuff being in Ottawa (or the Ottawa region, if you consider Hull). If you go to any other National capital, you get to visit all the national treasures... Washington, Paris, London, what have you.

[Leafless]

I don't mind all this stuff being in Ottawa (or the Ottawa region, if you consider Hull). If you go to any other National capital, you get to visit all the national treasures... Washington, Paris, London, what have you.

I agree Higg.

That is the whole idea Ottawa being the Capital of Canada and home to the Federal Government of Canada.

Of course Mr. Harper is not the only PM in favour of decentralization, as Jean Chretien started this process with the bulk of federal entities that were to moved, mostly all moved to Quebec.

Of course this is destroying the whole concept of central government by pandering to regional interest and also dilutes federal national authority as seen through the eyes of many Canadians.

I feel it is totally wrong to uproot and distribute the assets of central government like candy, from its rightful place the nations capital, to whoever the PM of the day feel is deserving of these federal assets. To do this IMO is a form of traitorism especially when these federal assets go to a province with totally different political ideologies that fly in the face of federalism.

This is destroying Ottawa as Capital of Canada also as a municipality and government town who has find new sources of income to compensate for the loss of so many federal public service jobs.

[guyser]

Of course this is destroying the whole concept of central government by pandering to regional interest and also dilutes federal national authority as seen through the eyes of many Canadians.

I feel it is totally wrong to uproot and distribute the assets of central government like candy, from its rightful place the nations capital

Can someone explain to me how a portrait gallery being outside of Ottawa equals the hyperbole in the quote above?

Portrait gallery = diluting federal authority?

[old_bold&cold]

Thes painting s and portraits are from all over Canada, and while they have all been purchased by the government, there are so many that it could fill 10 museums. As with any government assets it deserves to be distributed to the masses for all to enjoy and not hoarded by a central gallery in Ottawa only. These have been locked away in storage for the last two decades and no one got to see them other then a few during special tours. They need to be seen in galleries from coast to coast. Not held in Ottawa.

[Moxie]

Personally I like the idea of these sort of things to be moved away form Ottawa. These are potraits that belong to all Canada, and they should have the chance for all places in Canada to submitt a gallery to display them. Right now they are actually in Gatineau Que, in a controlled conditions storage facility. It would be great if maybe several places were built across the country and the paintings then could be shared so everyone in all areas can have a chance to see them. I like Harpers idea way more then using the old USA embassy as a gallery. We have way too many museums here in the capital, such that most tourists do not get to see them all and rather pick and choose from the long list of what to see. Time for a cultural exchange between the provinces and Ottawa to show and share all of this among the people of Canada.

Wonderfully orated Old. Ottawa is not the center of the Universe (well Toronto thinks it is), it's time to share.

Thes painting s and portraits are from all over Canada, and while they have all been purchased by the government, there are so many that it could fill 10 museums. As with any government assets it deserves to be distributed to the masses for all to enjoy and not hoarded by a central gallery in Ottawa only. These have been locked away in storage for the last two decades and no one got to see them other then a few during special tours. They need to be seen in galleries from coast to coast. Not held in Ottawa.

I see this as an symbol of a Unified Canada, at least Harper thinks we have a CULTURE to share.

[Leafless]

Can someone explain to me how a portrait gallery being outside of Ottawa equals the hyperbole in the quote above?

Portrait gallery = diluting federal authority?

It is not only the portrait gallery, it is ALL of the combined federal entities that have been moved to other provinces, especially Quebec.

Do you not find this disturbing?

Ottawa federal status as National Capital of Canada is being diluted by arrogant PM's that have no respect for Ottawa as Canada's National Capital.

I am not aware of any other Canadian city that is given the same rights as Ottawa to represent a national central location for the federal government and its federal entities.

[Smallc]

It is not only the portrait gallery, it is ALL of the combined federal entities that have been moved to other provinces, especially Quebec.

Do you not find this disturbing?

Ottawa federal status as National Capital of Canada is being diluted by arrogant PM's that have no respect for Ottawa as Canada's National Capital.

I am not aware of any other Canadian city that is given the same rights as Ottawa to represent a national central location for the federal government and its federal entities.

Look, as long as Parliament Hill, and the Langevin Building, and 24 Sussex Drive, and Rideau Hall are in Ottawa, its the capital.

[guyser]

It is not only the portrait gallery, it is ALL of the combined federal entities that have been moved to other provinces, especially Quebec.

Do you not find this disturbing?

No I dont.

Everyone knows that Ottawa is the capital. And they also know all the really good stuff (if you are so inclined) in Ottawa.

So they moved the passport office to Thunder Bay. Not really an incentive for me to go to Thunder Bay.

I guess they are spreading the wealth a bit.

[Leafless]

Look, as long as Parliament Hill, and the Langevin Building, and 24 Sussex Drive, and Rideau Hall are in Ottawa, its the capital.

A real smart guy, you are!

Now I know why federal leadership doesn't matter in Canada.

Some Canadians just never noticed, nor care.

[Leafless]

So they moved the passport office to Thunder Bay. Not really an incentive for me to go to Thunder Bay.

I guess they are spreading the wealth a bit.

Not really.

They are just trying to justify in a minuscule way, all they have raped from Ottawa and given to Quebec.

[Smallc]

Not really.

They are just trying to justify in a minuscule way, all they have raped from Ottawa and given to Quebec.

Look, this is the entire idea behind the principle of decentralized federalism. you spread things out but the power is still in Ottawa

Edited November 14, 2007 by Smallc

[capricorn]

I guess they are spreading the wealth a bit.

Years ago I was opposed to moving jobs outside Ottawa because I was concerned of the impact it might have on the local economy. After all, I am a native of this city. Now I see things differently.

Why should all government jobs and buildings be concentrated in Ottawa? As far as I can see, moving some of these jobs to other parts of Canada is a good thing. It helps the economies of those cities and increases the presence of the federal government. Ottawa has ample attributes to make up for that decentralization. Parliament buildings alone draw many tourists. In the winter, the Rideau Canal transforms itself into the largest skating rink in the world. Along with Winterlude, it's a winner with tourists from around the world. There are many other events and amenities that contribute to the Capital's financial success.

I can understand the opposition to moving some public servants to facilities across the river to Quebec. I honestly don't think this is political in nature. I believe these are sound economic decisions because the cost of building and/or renting facilities on that side of the river is a lot cheaper than the high cost of land in Ottawa's core. But should there be an additional advantage on the political side of things, so be it.

[guyser]

I can understand the opposition to moving some public servants to facilities across the river to Quebec. I honestly don't think this is political in nature. I believe these are sound economic decisions because the cost of building and/or renting facilities on that side of the river is a lot cheaper than the high cost of land in Ottawa's core. But should there be an additional advantage on the political side of things, so be it.

We had a thread about just that and I was in agreement.Movng some offices to Hull was about saving bucks since the donwtown core of Ott is getting pricey and the Feds could buy in Que a lot cheaper.

Of course I resident charter/federalist/Alcan pontificator was adamant that it was a move to appease the french.