Mr. Speaker, since the announcement of the portrait gallery in November, many cities have expressed publicly their interest and excitement at the opportunity in seeing this magnificent institution in their city.
Yet, the Liberals have not been listening to Canadians, and in the other place a bill has been introduced that would put into law the location of the portrait gallery before the request for proposals process is even over.
However, a municipal councillor in Winnipeg spoke out against the idea that the only city able to host the museum was Ottawa. Also, a municipal councillor in Quebec City said:
—I completely agree with your position and that of your government concerning the selection process for the Canadian city to host the Canadian portrait gallery... I disagree with Bill S-233, which would automatically designate the federal national capital as the host region.
Are the Liberals trying to tell these cities that they just are not good enough?