Province defends Royal BC Museum investment following backlash

The B.C. government is once again defending its decision to spend nearly a billion dollars on a museum.

Earlier this month, the province announced it will spend $789 million on a revamp of the Royal BC Museum, constructing a seismically safer, and more inclusive and accessible building. The investment has triggered widespread criticism because of the hefty price tag. 

Critics like recently-elected B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon have called Premier John Horgan “out of touch” and have taken aim at the museum rebuild at a time when the province is seeing a skyrocketing cost of living. The opposition leader has repeatedly called the renovation a “vanity” project in the premier’s backyard. Falcon says should he become premier next year, he’d cancel it.

B.C. Tourism Minister Melanie Mark admits the announcement did not receive the reaction she had anticipated.

“As soon as we had the approval of the business case, we came forward and what I will acknowledge is that the announcement did not land as I’d hoped. I do want to acknowledge that.”

This image shows the distribution of the $789.5 million dedicated to the project. (Credit: BC Government)

The province says the large amount of money is necessary to create a safe and accessible facility, support reconciliation, and modernize the space by creating a dynamic visitor experience. A breakdown provided by the government details how the money will be spent.

‘We will simply not kick this project down the road’

Mark says the museum will update its exhibits through consultations with residents, including Indigenous communities.

“I understand that this investment is a lot of money, but we will simply not kick this project down the road. We are not willing to take the risk of wiping out our culture, our collective history,” said Mark, who is the only First Nations woman to serve in cabinet.

Mark says though the changes are long overdue, she considers it to be “reconciliation in action.”

However, just last week, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation released a statement saying it is “frustrated by the current provincial government’s plans to build a new museum complex for the Royal B.C. Museum.”

The Nation says the museum has already “been in poor standing with many Indigenous people and groups for years over their lack of Indigenous stories and histories and for showcasing stolen artifacts, archives and historical pieces that should be respectfully returned to the appropriate Indigenous groups and First Nations.”

This image shows the long process of safely packing and moving exhibits in the museum. (Credit: BC Government)

“Now more than ever we must see the value of museums and … our shared stories and to see the canvas of where we’ve come and where we’re going,” Mark said.

Although the museum has been in need of seismic upgrades, many critics say the money could instead go towards other issues British Columbians are facing. They include the doctor shortage, the communities ravaged by extreme fires and flooding last year, and the 250 schools that are in need of major seismic upgrades.

“We are investing in the Royal BC Museum … But we’re also seismically upgrading schools, we’ve doubled our numbers and invest in seismically upgrading schools,” Mark responded Wednesday. “Of course, I care about children and protecting children. We’re also investing in more hospitals — 17 projects are underway across this province. We know that we have a duty to protect our public assets.”

“There are many people that cannot access the building. Some of the archives of Indigenous people are in the basement. Two floors of our archives are underwater and at risk, if there was a flood. And if we wipe out the Douglas trees, if we wipe out the Emily Carr collections, then who’s to blame?”

These images show areas of the museum in need of seismic upgrades and restoration. (Credit: BC Government)

Many of the concerns and criticisms from British Columbians sparked from the high rate of inflation and cost of living. For many in the province, filling their gas tanks and buying groceries has become a major financial burden. However, Mark says it is still important to preserve arts and culture.

“We can support British Columbians across all domains of the needs of this province. Arts and culture is something that right now I think are part of the narrative and part of the debate people are asking themselves: How important is arts and culture?”

The new museum is expected to open in 2030.