Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you very much. It's my pleasure to talk to you about that a little bit. Again, this is a project that is starting for us. As with anything, museology ages quickly as well, so we want to ensure that our museum, which is already 16 years old, if you can believe it, is in need of that renewal and that new approach.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Davidson. That's a great picture and I'm glad we were helpful in getting it for you. That's also an excellent question. In terms of first nations and indigenous stories, it's very top of mind and a priority for our institution. Of course, we have stories that are intertwined in our permanent galleries, but I can say that we have amplified that in the last few years.

Veterans Affairs committee  Sure, I can jump in here. We have partnered with institutions or private sector companies like Vintage Wings on several public programs. We're always open to receiving proposals, which we review, and if they fit and align with our mandate, we're more than happy to collaborate.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think it's a case of making their story relevant to people today and speaking to their experience. In my view, it's important for people to connect with what these veterans have experienced. We're talking about making sure that the contribution of Canada on the international level is known.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Samson. It is a very important question. You're quite right. Again, if I come to this from a public institution point of view, if I start from a collecting point of view, it's a bit of a challenge for us because we want to be able to collect these stories, but these veterans still are in possession of these objects and they're not quite ready to let them go.

Veterans Affairs committee  I can answer the question, if I may. We have participated in a number of Veterans Affairs Canada working groups. The most recent one was made up of Gulf War veterans, related to Kuwait. We've also introduced a tool for communities to celebrate Remembrance Day, because they can't visit the memorials.

Veterans Affairs committee  Sure. Thank you very much for that question. It is something that is really top of mind for us. It's reaching those younger audiences, and of course, via the platforms that are more relevant, and I suppose, accessible to them. As I was mentioning earlier in answering Mr. Amos's question, many of our educational programs have been adapted through a technical platform.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Amos, for that excellent question. Of course, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the museum, which was closed to the public for most of 2020. In addition to the subsidy we receive from the government, the majority of our revenue comes from visits to the museum, and we've seen that revenue drop by 96%.

Veterans Affairs committee  I would come at it from the public institution that we are, focusing on that public history and that preservation and education. I think we would benefit from encouraging the recording of these stories and these experiences of veterans so that their stories are not forgotten. I think that many of our efforts during the planning for the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War made us realize how few veterans are left.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for inviting me to appear before you today. As mentioned, my name is Caroline Dromaguet, I'm the director general of the Canadian War Museum. It is a pleasure to be here to talk about how commemoration fits into the activities of the Canadian War Museum and to give you an overview of our strategy for inspiring and educating Canadians, at home and abroad, in recognition of the service and sacrifice of all who have served.