Information for Members

The project was initiated by the Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC) and is the result of a collaboration between Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nation, the Maritime Museum of BC and Songhees Nation.  

(See prospectus for more details) 

The project will operate as a social enterprise structured as a new, federally incorporated not-for-profit Corporation, with registered charitable status through the Canada Revenue Agency. The Corporation will be jointly owned by three equal Members: the Maritime Museum of BC, the Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nation, and Songhees Nation) each holding 1/3 ownership. (See ownership graphic) 

The Corporation will operate the site as a unit, holding a lease for the entire Steamship Building and owning the purpose-built floating structure on the leased water lot adjoining the Steamship Building.  

When the Corporation is formally established, bylaws will be developed to fully define the governance structure. The intent is to have the three Member entities elect a total of nine Directors at an AGM to serve as the new Corporation’s board. The Directors will be selected to provide the expertise required to operate the Corporation in the best interests of the business and the interests of the Members. They would represent shared interests not specific interests. (See governance graphic) 

No single entity is “in control”. The foundational premise of the Future of History concept is a belief in true collaboration and trust between the three Members. This will be manifest in the vision, objectives, and culture of the Corporation and ultimately, throughout the visitor experience. It is therefore embedded in the ownership model. Some may perceive the 3 x 1/3 Member model as 2/3 First Nations. The Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nation and Songhees Nation are independent, autonomous entities and are respected as such in the equally shared ownership and governance model. 

The MMBC board will direct MMBC’s involvement as a Member in the Future of History Corporation The MMBC board would appoint three elected MMBC board members to serve as Member representatives on the Corporation’s nominating committee. They would participate in the Member’s process of recruiting and recommending suitable individuals to serve as Directors of the Corporation in collaboration with representatives of the other two Members. A skills matrix would be used to make certain the Director candidates are well suited to meet the collective needs of the Corporation. It is not the intent that Directors represent only the interests of a specific Member. The MMBC board will have the right to vote on the appointment of the entire board of the Corporation, and all subsequent changes to the board, in accordance with the Corporation’s bylaws.

Provision will be made in the bylaws for a method of dispute resolution agreeable to all Members. If the senior representatives of the Members are unable to resolve a dispute, the Parties will discuss and seek a facilitated dispute mechanism, which may include mediation, or another process facilitated by an independent party trained in dispute resolution. In addition, a process will be included in the bylaws in the event the sale or dissolution of the Corporation became necessary.  

The capital cost of developing the project is projected to be $40M based on a current Class 4 (Intermediate) estimate believed to be accurate within a range of 15% +/-. This is comprised of $32.3M for construction of the floating structure and First Nations exhibit component and $6.2M for renovations and fitting out the Steamship Building for MMBC exhibits. A further $1.5M contingency has been added. 

The current fundraising funding plan identifies the following sources. 

• Private philanthropy $11.0M 

• Corporate sponsorship $12.0M 

• Government of Canada $17.0M 

The project has already secured the support of our Council of Navigators, a respected group of thought leaders and committed individuals who have volunteered to lead the Capital Campaign Cabinet.  

The Government of Canada will be asked to contribute capital funding of at least $17.0M to match $23.M in private funding. The project is eligible for federal cultural, heritage and regional economic development funding. In addition, because the project is majority owned by First Nations, it will also be eligible for federal funding dedicated for reconciliation and First Nation’s economic development.   

The province is not being asked to make a direct financial contribution to the $40M capital cost of the project. Instead, we seek a long-term lease for the site under favourable terms. The Future of History site, comprised of the Steamship Building and the associated water lot, are publicly owned under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) which holds the site on behalf of the people of BC. The province has been asked to make the entire site available for the specific purpose of the Future of History Project. The site will become surplus to MoTT needs once the new Belleville Terminal project is complete in the fall of 2028. Associated with the new ferry terminal, the Future of History Project provides an impressive sense of place when visitors arrive in Victoria and Lekwungen Territory from the US. Other provincial ministries with portfolios including tourism, economic development, heritage and Indigenous relations may wish to become involved in the future.  

The capital fundraising campaign will be conducted by the Future of History Corporation’s internal fundraising team lead by the CEO and a fundraising professional working with the volunteer members of the Council of Navigators. All funds will be pooled. The funding model does not require financial contributions from the Members. All funds will be held independently by the Future of History Corporation and accounted for under best-practice, audited, accounting procedures and in accordance with the public reporting requirements of a registered charity under Canada Revenue Agency regulations.  

The project can only proceed if commitments for funding from each pre-determined source are realized. Securing the sources of support are necessarily sequential. A commitment from the Province of BC to make the site available is required before private and corporate fundraising can begin. The Federal contribution will be solicited based on existing, matching, capital grant programs. If fundraising targets are not met in accordance with the required timeline, the opening date could be delayed, or interim financing arrangements could be made.

All operating revenues from all Future of History admissions and other sources, estimated to be $6.0M annually, will be received by the Future of History Corporation. All expenses will be paid for by the Corporation in accordance with an annual budget to be approved by the Board of Directors.

Yes. The business plan indicates admission revenues, based on an annual attendance of 325,000 visitors, will be $5.2M. The prime downtown waterfront location makes this attainable. A further $595K will come from other revenues sources (including retail sales) and $220K in annual grants and sponsorships. The objective is to have minimal requirement for government funding and to sustain a modest surplus each year. (See prospectus for more details) 

Any operating surpluses (excess of revenues over expenses) would remain inside the Corporation rather than being distributed to Members. The Directors would review and may approve the allocation of surplus funds to develop initiatives that advance the purposes of the Corporation. This may include investments in special exhibits, programs, events, capacity building programs relevant to education, staff development and initiatives that advance reconciliation and cultural resurgence.  

The Corporation’s board would retain and oversee a CEO who will develop a professional staff team to secure the required capital funding, refine and define the shared vision for the project and design and construct the facilities, exhibits and visitor experiences in accordance with a board approved business plan and brand promise. In the operational phase, the CEO and their team will deliver all internal functions including human resources, accounting, exhibit content, maintenance, building operations, safety, marketing, ongoing strategic planning and brand innovation. They will also deliver all public–facing aspects of the business including interpretive/education programs, special events, marketing and community engagement. (See related questions 17 & 18) It is likely the Victoria Classic Boat Festival and other special events such as canoe racing will be presented by the Future of History Corporation.

The Steamship Building consists of 21,000 sq/ft on four floors, including the lower causeway level. The project requires the entire building. Preliminary planning indicates this building will likely include the primary admissions point of entry for the Future of History attraction. The building will be configured to allow maximum public access, with much of the building being utilized for frequently changing displays drawn from the MMBC collection. A compact administration space will be located on the fourth floor. 

The lower causeway level will be a partnership plaza where First Nations and more recent traditions meet at the hightide line. This area could feature, canoe carving, small boatbuilding, other traditional hands-on skills, food and beverage services and seasonal entertainment.
The floating structure, accessed from the plaza, provides 17,000 sq/ft of space dedicated to exhibits, programing, ceremony and special events to be determined by the Lekwungen Peoples and the exhibit development team. The facility includes a 2,500 sq/ft special exhibit space, a large indoor/outdoor ceremonial and special event space. It also features a welcome beach where canoes can be landed. Office space for the exhibit/program/education team and meeting spaces are located on the upper floor. 

A great deal of respectful and collaborative work will be required to create a truly valid and meaningful visitor experience. The intent is not to present two versions of history independently; the work of reconciliation requires much more. Knowledge-keepers, curators, educators, exhibit specialists will all be part of the team that presents the Future of History in a way that explores the maritime history of the coast.   

The intent is for the staff working in both physical elements of the Future of History Corporation to be integrated and aligned within a unified management structure. Recruiting and retaining employees from the Lekwungen Nations will be a priority in the operation of the Canoe House facility and elsewhere. Collaboration among all staff within all areas of the operation will be encouraged. Employee development programs will be established to encourage skill acquisition and advancement for all staff involved in the project. The CEO will be expected to implement culturally respectful HR policies that will form the basis of the work ethos for all employees. 

No. The Future of History is only the current working name that identifies the project and suggests the concept of presenting shared maritime history in a different way. Extensive planning and research to define the exhibit content, story–line themes, target markets and visitor experience will define the offering to the public. The brand promise will become apparent as a vital component of a comprehensive brand development process involving the shareholder constituencies, professionals in the fields of exhibit, education, and marketing, as well as broader community consultations. The appropriate permanent name for the public attraction and the operating Corporation will emerge from this process. 

There is a great deal of work to be done to develop the exhibits and content that will shape the overall visitor experience. The partners recognize this work as fundamental to the shared success of the project. It is also time consuming and expensive. At this point in the development of the project, it is not prudent to invest the funding required for professional staff and detailed planning – until we secure the commitment for the lease of the site from the Province of BC.  

The intent of the project is to provide a full-scale maritime museum experience, drawn from the collections and archives of the MMBC, displayed in the Steamship Building. Extensive consultation with the MMBC community and beyond will occur during the development of the content plan. The exhibit plan will fulfill MMBC Society obligations for display, interpretation and delivery of educational programs in accordance with the MMBC constitution. A comprehensive series of exhibits reflecting the cultural, economic, and social history of the Lekwungen Peoples will be presented in the floating structure. The resources for the Nations to develop these exhibits will be provided during the design process. The combined experience will present visitors two distinct yet interconnected perspectives of maritime history on the coast.  

The MMBC Society will continue to operate as an independent entity governed by the current membership who will elect board members under the existing bylaws. The MMBC board will control the MMBC Society’s interest as a 1/3 Member in the Future of History Corporation. Fundamental to the ongoing mandate of the MMBC will be the full custody, control and ownership of the current MMBC collection and all future additions. The museum’s digital presence, both related to the collection and public profile, will continue and expand. MMBC will retain the staff capacity required to fulfill curatorial/research roles to further cultivate and enhance the collection. MMBC will retain independent accounting and control of its own finances including all current funds, endowment funding (both internally and with the Victoria Foundation) as well as CRA charitable status including ongoing donations and future MMBC fundraising endeavours. Tax receipts for donations will continue to be issued by MMBC independent of the Future of History Corporation. 

MMBC will draw from the collection to provide exhibit content in collaboration with the Future of History Corporation for public display in the new facility. The Corporation may contract with MMBC for specific exhibit services. Current MMBC staff involved in programs and public-facing activities will have the opportunity to transfer to employment with the Future of History Corporation. 

The collection cannot be accommodated in the Steamship Building. The entire building is required for exhibit and program space. The MMBC collection would continue to be housed in the secure, museum quality, archive space at Seymour Place. This facility is provided at no cost to the museum by the province of BC under an agreement established when the museum was required to vacate the Bastion Square building. The Lekwungen Nations may choose to place some belongings in this secure climate-controlled space for safe-keeping. Dedicated space will be sought for this purpose. MMBC curatorial staff would be supplemented by newly trained employees recruited from the Lekwungen Nations.  

MMBC collections staff would continue to work at Seymour Place. To properly coordinate MMBC staff with the Future of History team, some MMBC staff may share space located in the Steamship Building fourth floor offices. 

Yes! Volunteers are at the core of the fabric of MMBC and a large part of the museum’s success and sustainability. Volunteers will continue to be involved in all aspects researching, documenting and maintaining the MMBC collection at Seymour Place. There will be a growing digital component of the work related to the collection. It is anticipated that volunteerism will be an integral component of the operation of Future of History project as well. Volunteers will find many new opportunities for interaction with the public through guest services, special programs and events as the project scales up to welcome 325,000 visitors expected each year. Volunteers will continue be essential to be involved on various committees such as the Classic Boat Festival Committee and other activities of the Future of History Corporation. 

The museum’s successful public programs such as Museum Tots, school programs, workshops, speaker events would continue under the auspices of the Future of History Corporation. This will enable all such programs and new initiatives to utilize the Future of History facilities and benefit from the Corporation’s enhanced staff resources, marketing, fundraising, and strong brand presence as the public face of maritime history. Select vessels such as Tilikum (ashore) and Trekka and Dorothy (afloat) would be displayed at the new facility. The Victoria Classic Boat Festival would be presented by the new project and supported by staff with ongoing involvement by the volunteer committee. Additional programs such as the possible return of canoe races on the harbour will be devised by staff and integrated into expanded program offerings. MMBC would maintain a strong digital and social media presence. 

The MMBC will remain an independent, self-governed entity established under the BC Societies Act, just as it as it has always been. MMBC’s participation in the Future of History Project would be as one of three Members of a new federally incorporated not-for-profit Corporation established to own and operate the Future of History Project. In such a Corporation, each Member’s liability is limited by law to amount the Member has invested in the new Corporation.  None of the Members is expected or required to invest funds in the new Corporation. MMBC therefore would have no financial risk.   

The new Corporation will be responsible for raising and administering its own funding, sustaining operations through revenues, entering into contractual agreements and employing staff. All liabilities related to the Future of History Corporation will be contained within the Corporation. The new Corporation’s board of directors will be responsible for appropriate policies and procedures to operate the Corporation and securing suitable insurance coverages. 

MMBC, with its own directors and members, will continue to be financially and operationally responsible for all aspects of the MMBC collection (including digital elements), the Seymour site, and specific MMBC staff. Raising sufficient funds for MMBC to accomplish this, without the benefit of museum admission revenue, could continue to be a risk factor. This has been a challenge throughout the museum’s long history, and especially since the museum was required to close the Bastion Square site ten years ago. It is anticipated that a fundraising capacity will be an ongoing requirement. 

• As an outcome of a meeting representatives of the three Future of History partners had with Minister Mike Farnworth, on May 27, 2025, an Expression of Mutual Intent is now being prepared to document the relationship with the ministry. We expect this initial agreement to be signed in September.  

• Upon signing, this agreement authorises Ministry staff to commence discussion and negotiations with us regarding the long-term lease of the site, with a report back to the Minister by October 31, 2025. This agreement includes joint acknowledgement that a long term lease commitment is required as soon as possible to enable implementation of our project’s  three-year development plan, culminating in Opening Date in June 2029.   

• Ongoing communications and information presentations for MMBC Members will be scheduled to enable MMBC Members ask questions and provide input between now and mid-October. 

• MMBC Members will be asked to authorize the MMBC board to implement the ownership and governance model and proceed with the project. This will occur by a vote of the MMBC Members on a Special Resolution at the MMBC Annual General Meeting on October 16, 2025.  

• Provided the Members approve the Special Resolution, and conditional upon the Expression of Mutual Intent being signed with the province, the MMBC board will determine the following: 

• • When it becomes necessary to transition to a professional project management model by recruiting a professional project manager to work with the volunteer board committee. 

• • Launch the initial ‘venture philanthropy’ campaign (lead by Future of History’s Council of Navigators) to secure a minimum of $250K. This start-up funding would support project management, business planning, exhibit content development, design and detailed construction cost budgeting as well as the capital campaign fundraising strategy. 

• • Establishment of the Future of History Corporation and recruiting directors of the Corporation in collaboration with the Future of History Members in advance of signing a lease agreement with MoTT. 

For the next three years the Belleville Terminal Project is using the Steamship Building for US Customs and the water lot area as a temporary wharf for Victoria Clipper ferry. During this time the fundraising campaign can be completed, and the floating structure will be built off-site. It is expected that that the entire Future of History site will become surplus when the new terminal is complete in the Fall of 2028. The Future of History Corporation would expect to have occupancy of the site in October of 2028. Seven months will be required to fit out the Steamship Building and install the floating structure. 

Opening day will be June 7, 2029.