Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand the motion. I think we stated that the policies on museum development, especially in the area of capital plans, will be ready some time this year. However, in the meantime in our discussions between the communities and the regions and the department we recognize that there is a need for regional museums' consideration that could also be integrated in the development of that policy.
The Iqaluit Museum functioned as a community museum since 1968 and was operated by the Museum Society. It was moved from the front of the Liquor Store Warehouse to its current location in 1985 when an old Hudson Bay building was moved from Apex to the current museum location.
During planning for the regional visitors' centre and the combined community regional library in 1989, it was decided that the two projects would be combined to create the Unikkaakvik Centre and that the location would be beside the museum. Plans were devolved to join the existing museum to the centre in order to increase the regional component of the program. Land from the Museum Society Reserve was utilized for the Unikkaakvik Centre in anticipation of the construction, including the museum connection. I think we cannot fool ourselves as Members that there has been a lot of pressure, from aboriginal people especially, that artifacts belonging to the Inuit should be repatriated back to their own communities or the regions.
I know, at the moment, Mr. Chairman, that I cannot utilize in the Capital Plan all the communities for the purpose of repatriation of the artifacts, however, I think we should start recognizing at least through regional planning the necessity to build museums in the regions whenever we can afford it, recognizing the pressure of the aboriginal people telling us that these artifacts must be repatriated.
I understand, Mr. Chairman, that the comment was made by the Chairman of the Standing Committee that luxury items such as museums, I think these are not considered luxury items for the aboriginal people. This addition that we are talking about was specifically designed to be air controlled and humidity controlled for the purpose of preserving the materials that may rot or deteriorate. We cannot house any of those kinds of materials at the existing facility. It has to be humidity controlled. That is why this addition is very, very important. Thank you.