News release details

"The Board of Trustees asked the Friends to continue their efforts to ensure that we build the iconic structure and world‐class exhibits expected from this national and international destination and centre for learning," said Arni Thorsteinson, Chair of the CMHR Board. "This project will have important economic benefits for the city, province, and country over the next three years and well beyond. We owe the Friends of the CMHR and their many, many volunteers and donors a great debt of thanks for their tremendous efforts to date."

The Board of Trustees will proceed with the Antoine Predock architectural design for the building that will house world‐class exhibits to be designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Construction is underway and is anticipated to take approximately 3 years with time then required to outfit the interior of the building with exhibits. The construction tendering process is also continuing with 75% of tender bids expected to be awarded by this fall. The iconic building will meet LEED Silver environmental certification requirements, feature cutting edge technology, and offer interactive new media.

"We have full confidence that Friends will meet this additional fundraising challenge, especially because we're seeing the emergence of new interest, energy and donor capacity for this national human rights museum in provinces outside Manitoba," said Gail Asper O.C., O.M. LL.D (Hon.), National Campaign Chair. "We will keep the momentum of this campaign going and ensure the vision that Canadians have for this Museum comes to life. In the meantime, I thank the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg for investing in the creation of this Museum. I also thank the thousands of volunteers and donors – internationally, nationally and throughout the province of Manitoba for their continued loyalty and generosity in submitting their gift payments on time despite the current economic climate."

Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Inc. is the non‐profit registered charity tasked with raising funds for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights was established as a federal Crown corporation on August 10, 2008 by the Government of Canada as Canada's fifth national museum, the first new Canadian museum established since Canada's Centennial celebrations in 1967, and the first national museum to be built outside of the National Capital Region.

For information contact

Angela Cassie, Director of Communications
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Tel: 204.289.2006

Viv Draward, Communications Manager
Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Tel: 204.925.5954