Prime Minister and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II Re-open Canada House

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today officially re-opened Canada House in London, following an 18-month restoration program.

"Canada House is a symbol of the unbreakable Trans-Atlantic bond that joins Canada and the United Kingdom," said the Prime Minister. "Restored to her former beauty and glory, she speaks both to the historic richness of our relationship and its modern vitality. We are honoured that Her Majesty could join us for the re-opening."

Located in London's Trafalgar Square, Canada House has been Canada's focal point in Britain for over seven decades. It was a diplomatic, public affairs and academic centre as well as a military headquarters during World War II. It has also been home to the Canadian High Commission's cultural program of exhibitions, concerts, and film screenings.

The new Canada House will focus on Canada's modern achievements. By exhibiting a vast array of visual, literary and performing artists, it presents our diverse, multicultural reality. And by showcasing Canadian innovation in science and technology, it will also enhance the promotion of trade and investment between Canada and Britain.

The main public features of Canada House include a cinema; an art gallery; an exhibition room; the Canada House Library; reading room; a listening room to sample the works of Canadian recording artists; and the Bell Canada Information Exchange, which is a state-of-the-art electronic resource centre offering public access to the Internet, e-mail services, information kiosks and a CD-ROM library.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi, a host of officials and corporate figures, as well as members of Canada's arts community were also in attendance at the ceremony.

The $15.5 million cost of the Canada House restoration program has been built into the existing fiscal framework.

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