Portrait Gallery cancelled

The Canadian Press is reporting that plans to build the Portrait Gallery of Canada have been cancelled.

***Updated 20:57

Here's the press release from the Department of Canadian Heritage:

Selection Process for the Portrait Gallery of Canada Concluded

Collection Will Remain Accessible to Canadians

GATINEAU, November 7, 2008 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced today the termination of the selection process for the Portrait Gallery of Canada.

"A number of developers submitted proposals to house the public programming and exhibitions of the Portrait Gallery of Canada. Unfortunately, none of these proposals met the Government's requirements, and we are therefore terminating the selection process," said Minister Moore. "In this time of global economic instability, it is important that the federal government continue to manage its own affairs prudently and pragmatically. The selection process failed to meet the best interests of both the Portrait Gallery and taxpayers. We have therefore decided not to pursue this project further at this time."

The portrait collection will continue to be available for viewing by Canadians through travelling exhibitions and other public programs. We encourage museums and galleries throughout the country to work with Library and Archives Canada to ensure that the Portrait Gallery collection is proudly and prominently on display across Canada.