‘We’re ready to expand’: RCMP Heritage Centre pushes for national museum status
There are nine official national museums across the country, seven in the Ottawa area, the Immigration Museum at Pier 21 in Halifax and the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg.
The RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina is seeking national museum status, according to recent reports. The centre already attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually due to its well-regarded reputation among history enthusiasts. However, it is currently not recognized as a national museum among the nine official national museums in Canada, seven of which are based in Ottawa.
A petition and surveys backed by over 10,000 Canadians have been submitted to capital city authorities in support of the Centre's bid for national museum status. If granted, the designation could increase the centre's annual operating support from approximately $3.5 million to nearly $10 million. In addition, it could expand its programming and reach significantly.
Sam Karikas, the Centre's CEO, expressed confidence in their readiness to expand, stating that they have completed all planning and research necessary for this pursuit. He added that they are waiting for a single decisive action from federal authorities to move forward with the process. The Centre has been included in federal budget commitments and ministerial documents since 2019, and federal representatives are currently working with Karikas to facilitate this transition.
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