Canadian Heritage Committee on March 1st, 2018

[An hon. member]

Now you've already used them.

[Gordie Hogg, Liberal, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

No, no. That was just to give you a heads-up.

[Gordie Hogg, Liberal, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

We can go to you, Mr. Shields, but we only have two minutes. Would you like a two-minute round?

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thanks.

I've probably wandered around most of the major of the museums in this country before most of you were born. My parents would get me to the door and find me at the end of the day. As my adult children know, when we're travelling the world that's where they'll find me.

We have two that are very similar in a sense. You're Toronto-centric, and to replicate that would be fantastic. Also, I'm fortunate to have been to Haida Gwaii. It's incredible, but we need to get more people to it, because it's hard to take that one out. If you get out to the settlements, those are phenomenal.

We have Toronto-centric, with fashion, style, and design. It's incredible. How do we get it out? How do we get people to Haida Gwaii? You have to go to Haida Gwaii: you can't get that transported out.

[Shauna Levy]

In the case of Design Exchange, we have a mandate to be a national institution. EDIT is a project that we're hoping to spread through multiple parts of the country.

In terms of an analogue approach, it would be about bringing our experiences to multiple provinces and cities across the country, and even globally, for that matter. Then, of course, there's the digital aspect of things: digitizing our content and allowing for interaction on a digital level. There's the analogue action, and there's also the digital perspective.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

How do you get people to Haida Gwaii?

[Nika Collison]

Our mandate is Haida Gwaii, but it also expands, because Haidas live around the world and our cultural diaspora is located around the world. In that sense, we are truly a global museum, but you're so correct: really, people should be coming to Haida Gwaii.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Yes.

I'm done. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

That brings us to an end for today.

Thank you very much to both of our witnesses. It was really helpful to hear your testimony today.

That will bring an end to this meeting. Merci.