Taylor Clark
LJI Reporter
The Musée Régional en Outaouais takes an important step forward thanks to $1.2 million in
financial assistance from the Government of Quebec.
“Museums are major anchors in the quality of life of citizens. This financial assistance will make
it possible to structure this identity project and thus improve the museum offering in the
Outaouais region,” wrote Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister
responsible for youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, in a press release.
Lacombe was accompanied for the announcement on February 29 at the Université du Québec en
Outaouais by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Saguenay-Lac-
Saint-Jean, Andrée Laforest, the Member of Parliament for Hull, Suzanne Trembly, and the
president of the board of directors for the Musée Régional en Outaouais, Jean-Marc Blais.
“This museum will be a common home for all citizens of Outaouais and an essential place for the
many visitors who wish to discover our region and the countless treasures it conceals,” wrote
Blais.
The Musée Régional en Outaouais, which temporarily calls the Maison Scott-Fairview home,
intends to provide the region with state-of-the-art museum equipment to support existing and
future museum institutions in the region.
The $1.2 million will allow for a feasibility study for the development of the museum, identify
the financial and human resources required, determine its final location, and assess the costs of
restoration and renovation come spring 2025.
With the funding also came news of a partnership between the Musée Régional en Outaouais and
Université du Québec en Outaouais.
“I am particularly enthusiastic about the continuation of this collaboration which is intensified by
the reception of the Musée Régional en Outaouais project office on campus,” wrote Murielle
Laberge, rector of Université du Québec en Outaouais, in a press release. “It must be said that
this close link between the Musée Régional en Outaouais and (the Université du Québec en
Outaouais) is completely natural, and I would say without any exaggeration, essential.”
The collaboration with the museum project represented an unprecedented opportunity for
students and teaching staff to contribute to the design, creation, and implementation of a brand-
new museum, said Laberge.
“By welcoming the project office to our university, we look forward to strengthening our ties
with the leaders of this structuring project for the region and exploring potential synergies with
our members.”
Photo caption: Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for youth and
Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, Mathieu Lacombe, announces $1.2 million in
funding for the Musée Régional en Outaouais project on February 29.
Photo credit: Université du Québec en Outaouais X