Evidence of meeting #5 for Veterans Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was museum.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Maybe I'm just being a bit of a devil here, but I think it'd be really cool to send a box of French mint Laura Secord chocolates to the U.S. ambassador to remind him of what happened in 1812.
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
I'm just kidding.
On a more serious note, as you know, the HMCS Sackville is the navy memorial. It's in Halifax. As trustees, they're constantly looking for funds to get it out of the water in order to preserve it as a national historic site. Do you do any work with them at all in terms of that work?
On another note, of course you know that Laura Secord herself was very instrumental in the war of 1812. Is there any work being done with the Laura Secord corporation in order to bring them into the fold of this as well? I know that's commercializing it, but I'm sure they would be interested in participating in some way as well.
Acting Director General and Vice-President, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, Canadian War Museum
With regard to HMCS Sackville, I did attend a meeting held by the trust last November or December dealing with the best move forward for the trust in the preservation of the Sackville. The museum does participate in those kinds of conversations.
In the past, it has actually helped out the Sackville in providing artifacts for the ship. We recognize it as being the national naval memorial to the sailors who lost their lives. We do offer assistance where possible. I think they're very lucky to have the Department of National Defence there to work with them in terms of the preservation of the boat, of the hull.
We are there to help them, and they know that. We do aid them when possible in preserving their memory.
In terms of Laura Secord, I'll turn to Yasmine.
Manager, Communications, Canadian War Museum
We have some fundraising projects under way that are being looked at particularly with regard to the projects we presented this morning--both 1812 and the First World War--and I believe the corporation is on their short list for discussion.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
Thank you for the opportunity to make an observation. I am not a member of the committee, but I was delighted to have the opportunity to fill in for our parliamentary secretary.
Maybe because of the richness of the displays at the museum and the length of time it takes to get through them, I continue to go back. Last fall, I was able to spend a couple of hours there. It was a coincidence that I saw the display of the teddy bear. I had been at a school during a Remembrance Day week, and I had an opportunity to read some storybooks to some younger grades. That was one of the books I read. It was an amazing thing to be able to tell these students that the story I was reading is true, and that this teddy bear is actually at the War Museum in Ottawa. They were amazed.
I want to encourage you in your efforts to continue to find ways to engage our children in remembering, whether it's through the cartoon you mentioned earlier or by linking together authors and artists who can take a story from an artifact and put it in a way that can engage children. I want to encourage you to keep doing that.
Acting Director General and Vice-President, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, Canadian War Museum
Thank you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
It's not like a committee to wrap up early. Is there any other comment or question?
We have a story.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Sir George Ross, one of the premiers of Ontario, came from Melrose, Ontario. George had an interesting life. He was supposed to be a bachelor, but he had a lady friend who was an amateur painter. She painted a portrait of him. After he died, she tried to sell it to the Parliament of Ontario, to Queen's Park, but because of the risqué nature of their relationship, they refused to accept the portrait. She was a determined woman, and she had certain friends who had been friends of George, and they convinced her to paint over it. She did, and made it into Laura Secord. Now, this is the homeliest woman I've ever seen, but the portrait of Laura Secord, painted over the portrait of Sir George Ross, hangs in the corridors at Queen's Park. That might be something of interest since we are talking about the War of 1812.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Greg Kerr
Thank you, Irene.
I must say that I am delighted to know that Peter Stoffer is not the only storyteller from the NDP. I am pleased to know that.
What we will do, then, is wrap up early, with great thanks. We know we are going to see more of you, because we are going to visit. We will work that detail out at the end of this meeting.
If there is no further business arising, we will knock off, knowing there are going to be bells.
I want to say, on behalf of the committee, thank you for what you do and for being here today.