Province hits pause on Royal BC Museum project

BC Premier John Horgan has admitted the province failed to properly explain plans to replace the Royal BC Museum, and has put the project on hold.
 
“I always try to act in the best interests of British Columbians,” Horgan said in a news release. “That involves listening. That also means taking responsibility when you make the wrong call.”
 
The museum is no longer scheduled to close this fall, and a new round of public consultation will begin to hear what British Columbians want to do with the institution.
 
"Kudos to the province for hearing what we, and many others, told them we didn't like about the initial announcement," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "The Royal BC Museum is a pillar of Greater Victoria's tourism industry so, first and foremost, we need it to stay in our region. The museum is deeply connected to our economy and benefits many of our members. What we want to see is the province make an investment in this asset that drives visitation, excites the intellect and creates revenue for our region and the province."
 
The Chamber also fully supports a more inclusive narrative about our province that shares the story of Indigenous people as well as all of the diverse communities that make up the fabric of who we are today.
 
Construction continues on a new Collections and Research Building in Colwood. It will house museum artifacts once completed.