January 19, 2023
RESULTS OF CANADA-WIDE ENGAGEMENT OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE
CANADIANS WANT A NATIONAL RCMP MUSEUM THAT HONOURS CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGES CHALLENGES
REGINA (January 19, 2023) – The RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, SK, is advancing plans to become Canada’s newest National Museum. As part of these efforts, the Heritage Centre recently completed a Canada-wide engagement exercise.
“Our vision for this museum is to be a place of celebration and discovery – of the many incredible, inspiring contributions of RCMP Members, and a place of reflection and reconciliation – where we can present more diversity of voice and learn about complex aspects of 150 years of Canada’s history and what that means today and moving forward,” said CEO, Tara Robinson.
The Centre partnered with engagement firm CTLabs. The CTLabs project team was assembled to represent an intersectional approach to engagement and facilitation and included members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, a former RCMP Member and former RCMP employee, those who are parents, and individuals who are Indigenous and from the African and Caribbean and Black community.
Canadians were invited to participate in a number of ways. These included: an online survey (offered in English and French), the ability to send text, video, art, etc. via email, and self-hosting a non-facilitated community conversation (in any language of their choosing). Additionally, one on one conversations were held with leaders from Indigenous youth organizations, African, Caribbean and Black, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities/organizations, and current and former RCMP Members.
2,041 people from across Canada completed the survey, an additional 80 people participated in self-hosted conversations in their community, and 24 one-on-one interviews were held. The results of the engagement exercise are captured in a “What We Heard” Report produced by CTLabs. An accessible English/French report is available by request to the email address below.
The results of the engagement exercise were overwhelmingly positive. 89% of survey respondents say that it is important for Canadians to have access to a national museum that honours the courageous contributions of the RCMP, while telling even the most difficult stories with dignity and compassion. Additionally;
- Nine in ten survey respondents agreed (somewhat or strongly) that the Museum should “Pay tribute to the extraordinary dedication, duty, and service of generations of Canadian Mounties and civilian employees, both past and present.”
- A sizeable majority of survey respondents also agreed (somewhat or strongly) that the Museum should “Reflect a broad and diverse set of perspectives” (84%) and “Support efforts aimed at reconciliation between the RCMP and Canada’s Indigenous Peoples” (76%).
- More than 7 in 10 somewhat or strongly agreed that the Museum should “Explore the historical and present-day relationships between the RCMP and marginalized communities and equity-seeking groups including, but not limited to, Indigenous People, women, racialized groups, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
“This engagement was a critical step for us. Not only did it confirm what we heard from earlier engagement, it also ensures we have sought out and reflected on the opinions, perspectives, hopes and concerns of Canadians. We have to make sure we create an atmosphere for all Canadians – where people feel represented, where people can come as family, learn about a national police service that makes Canada one of the safest countries in the world, and where people can celebrate what makes us unique and learn and explore Canada’s history,” said Robinson. “We consider this a first step in what will no doubt be ongoing conversation with Canadians.”
Board Member Chief Cadmus Delorme added, “This needs to be a place where we can commemorate and have uncomfortable conversations, to help us make sure we move forward as a country. The value of this phase of engagement confirms the organization is moving in the right direction. It confirms that Canadians and Indigenous Peoples understand and have an expectation for what good can be done through exploring and telling stories from multiple perspectives with the intent of truth and reconciliation.”
Over the past three years, the Centre has had more than 4,600 survey responses from Canadians. Both times the response was predominantly in favour of establishing a national museum about this uniquely Canadian institution, and the thousands of individuals who have chosen to serve Canada as RCMP Members. Once established, the National RCMP Museum will be only the third established outside of the National Capital Region, and only the second in the west.
Media are invited to contact us for an in-person or virtual interview or comment opportunities with CEO Tara Robinson.
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Tara Robinson
CEO
info@rcmphc.com