Ontario families pledge $3M to human rights museum

Three Ontario families have pledged $3 million toward the Canadian Museum for Human Rights planned for Winnipeg.

The donations — $1 million from each of three families — were announced Thursday in Toronto. The philanthropists are:

• Larry and Judy Tanenbaum, who have also given to Toronto hospitals and athletic scholarships.
• The Temerty Family Foundation, a foundation that has funded arts, health research and social agencies.
• Donald MacDonald, vice-president of a private equity firm, and family.

The museum has now raised $88 million in the private sector, including $17 million from Ontario donors.

The $265-million total cost of the building will come from:

• The federal government, $100 million.
• The Manitoba government, $40 million.
• The City of Winnipeg, $20 million.
• Private sector, $105 million.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will host exhibits designed to enhance understanding of human rights.

"As a Ukrainian-Canadian I have seen what happens when there is little regard for ethnic, racial and religious diversity," said donor Jim Temerty in a statement. Temerty is chair and former president of Northland Power Corp., an Ontario utility.

"The museum's potential role in educating youth inspired me. When the museum opens, it will help Canada's young people understand human rights violations of the past and what they can do to improve human rights for a better tomorrow," donor Larry Tanenbaum said.

A design for the building has been approved and a bill is before parliament to approve the museum as a national museum, making it eligible for ongoing federal funding.

Backers hope to have funding in place before construction begins.

More than 2,300 donations have been made toward the museum, including gifts from cultural support groups, labour groups, associations, foundations and individual donors.