It would depend on whether it is for a specific collection or for a set of historical artifacts belonging to several organizations. We are fully aware of the problems faced by our collection because we work with it and know the extent to which our premises are run down. It is crucial that the federal government work as a partner in terms of operational costs. It should also be involved in capital investment, but once a capital investment project is underway, operational upkeep funding is also needed to allow a museum to fulfill its mandate.
In our case, had the Quebec's government Department of Culture and Communications not supported us from the beginning, the collection would not have been saved. Our association could not have saved it. Given the size and needs of our collection and our building, we need a considerable amount of money. A not-for-profit organization without support from the federal government could not manage alone. That is why it is very important for us that the federal government, which has provided us with intermittent support in the past, become a full-fledged partner, like the other members of the partnership.
Mr. Cheasley spoke earlier of our collection. The Canadian Railroad Historical Association was founded by railway lovers, most of whom came from an academic, railway, or historical background. Strict guidelines as to what constitutes a railway collection have been in force since the association was first set up in 1932. They have been strictly adhered to throughout the years. New members have always respected these guidelines and have chosen artifacts that are in some way representative of Canada, be it technologically, historically, socially, or because of their association with a historically important figure. That is why our association has the most impressive collection. Any expert would agree, even those working for the Québec government's Department of Higher Education Science. Our association selected the best artifacts when it first established the collection, and we continue to do the same today. That is why this collection is inimitable. Simply having an instruction car is not enough for another organization to open a museum elsewhere. Our collection boasts an instruction car, the right postal car, and the private cars of Mr. Van Horne and Mr. Hays, the President of Grand Trunk Railway. Our collection boasts those key artifacts that reflect the participation of all Canadians in building their country. Other artifacts around the country have a certain value, but our collection is priceless. I really believe that these artifacts are worthy of significant support from the federal government.