Canadian Court injunction expands public access to the Museum of Civilization

Canadian Court injunction expands public access to the Museum of Civilization

Gatineau, Quebec, October 23, 2009 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC) has obtained a court order from Judge Dominique Goulet of the Superior Court of Quebec to ensure that visitors and staff have full access to the Museum and its curatorial building.

This order, enforceable by law, will improve secure access by visitors to the Museum and its facilities, such as the IMAX Theatre, indoor parking, meeting rooms and restaurants.

The court order will also ensure that Museum staff who are still at work will no longer be delayed unfairly by picketers.

Since the beginning of the current strike by some employees, on September 21, the Museum management team had made several proposals to the Public Service Alliance of Canada for a “strike protocol”. Such a protocol, part of normal labour relations, would have set out mutually agreed rules for access to the museum buildings by visitors and working employees while also providing for the safety of striking staff.

PSAC repeatedly rejected such a protocol. The Museum this week decided it had to approach Quebec Superior Court to seek an injunction to guarantee freedom of access to the public museum building and its curatorial offices in Gatineau, Québec.

VIEW THE INJUNCTION (in French only) (PDF file, 667 Kb)

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation operates the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum and the Virtual Museum of New France. As part of their mandate, the Museums function as centres for research and public information on the social, military and human history of the country. Their principal role is to preserve and promote the heritage of Canada for present and future generations, thereby contributing to the enhancement of Canadian identity.

Media Information:

Chief Corporate Communications
Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
Tel.: 819 776-8386

Fax: 819 776-7187