WINNIPEG – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will not be on hand for the long-awaited opening of the first national museum outside Canada’s capital.
A Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson told Global News in an email Thursday “The Prime Minister’s schedule won’t permit him to attend the event” Friday at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights at the Forks.
The Harper government will represented by local MP Shelly Glover, who is also the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the department that oversees national museums. Governor General David Johnston will also attend.
“It’s a real loss the Prime Minister’s not here because frankly a grateful city would like to thank him for the designation,” said Manitoba NDP MP, Pat Martin.
The Harper government contributed $100 million to museum’s $351 million building costs. The federal government will also pay $21.7 million a year for annual operating costs.
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