THE provincial government need only to look across the street from the Legislative buildings in Victoria to the Royal B.C. Museum for an example of how it should erase an inequality in how it treats its citizens.
It has everything to do with admission prices ranging from $23 for an adult day pass to $17 for seniors, students and youth from 6 to 18. A family day pass can lower the cost and if you live within easy commuting distance, annual passes offer unlimited access.
The problem is that there is no accounting for where a B.C. resident lives when these fees are charged. They’re the same if you live in and around Victoria or if you live a two or three day drive – and a pricey ferry ride – away.
There’s a larger debate to be had about whether a government should charge its citizens admission at all to view their own history but for now the simple fact is that the current fee structure is weighted in favour of Victoria and area residents and does not recognize the travel and accommodation costs of citizens visiting the province’s capital city.
Strong consideration should be given to some kind of price break for B.C. residents visiting Victoria.
The provincial Liberal government, as it will tell you repeatedly, is very proud of its ability to balance the books.
It should now extend that concept of balance in equalizing access to the Royal B.C. Museum.
Editorial, The Terrace Standard, Aug. 5, 2015.
