Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site management planning consultation report, 2020

Introduction

The management plan for Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site is currently being reviewed and finalized. As a part of this revision, the Parks Canada Agency offered the public and community stakeholders the opportunity to give their opinions on the management approach and objectives proposed for the site for the next ten years. This public consultation was held from May 15 to July 15, 2019 (8 weeks).

This document outlines this consultation process and presents a summary of the opinions expressed by the public, community stakeholders and regional representatives that were consulted.

Objectives

The consultation had two objectives:

• To make known the management approach and objectives proposed for the draft management plan.
• Obtain the views and comments of the public and partners to allow Parks Canada to improve and adjust the proposed management plan.

Consultation process

The national historic site’s planning team developed a “public consultation newsletter” that covered the following points:

• The historic significance of the site;
• The operation of the site;
• The key achievements since the 2001 management plan came into effect;
• The vision for the site; and
• The proposed management approach for the next ten years, including key strategies and objectives.

The newsletter, published in French, English and Simplified Chinese was posted on the historic site’s website. The public and partners were invited to read it and make comments and suggestions by email or mail between May 15 and July 15 2019. The consultation was shared on the Town of Gravenhurst, My Muskoka Now and MooseFM Facebook pages that collectively have over 30 thousand followers. A link to the online consultation was posted on the Consulting with Canadians website: https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/consultations/consultingcanadians.html.

Personalized emails were sent to elected officials and partner organisations inviting the parties to share their comments. A public open house was held on Monday June 3rd, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The issues and objectives targeted by the draft management plan were presented, and all comments were recorded.

Since there is an increased focus on partnering initiatives in the updated management plan, the site reached out directly to 64 partner groups for comment. Among these groups were representatives from ten local school boards, twenty local attractions, along with many national and international partners, as advised by Global Affairs Canada (Greater China Policy and Coordination Division).

A workshop was held with municipal partners and comments were received from 35 national and international partners. The site also received 14 emails or comments from members of the public.

Separate from the broader public engagement process, the site management team reached out to the Moon River Métis and the Wahta Mohawks, and made a presentation to the Chippewas of Rama. The Moon River Metis have shown an interest in using Bethune Memorial House as a meeting site for future community gatherings. Moving forward, the site will continue to engage with Indigenous partners to integrate Indigenous perspectives into the site’s narrative.

Summary of the main comments received during the consultations

Vision

The partners and general public participants generally agreed with the proposed vision and were especially moved by the connection to Bethune’s legacy in inspiring future generations. There was also wide support for Bethune Memorial House to continue to be a bridge between Sino-Canadian relations through meaningful partnerships and programming that resonates with all visitors. The majority of the feedback received focused on the site’s visitor experience program and partnering opportunities. This is consistent with the key strategies that have been proposed in the management plan.

Key strategy 1: Facilitating a personal connection to the Bethune legacy through visitor experience

Objective 1.1 to create experiences that connect with and inspire a diversity of visitors was met with positive feedback during consultation. Dr. Norman Bethune holds immense spiritual and personal meaning to visitors of Chinese descent, from Canada and abroad. Feedback received during the consultation period acknowledged that Parks Canada needs to do more to increase awareness about Bethune’s legacy in Canada. Feedback also indicated that the site should develop more experiential and family-friendly programming, with a potential focus on Bethune’s connection to art.

Many respondents agreed with Objective 1.2 that a wider range of visitor experiences should be featured at the site. Some participants suggested that an emphasis to off-peak visitation periods and year-round visitor offers should be explored, with the support of partners, in order to draw a local audience and increase local familiarity with the site, (e.g. school programs, Christmas program, or a free day for the local community). Other suggestions proposed that Parks Canada present the elements of Bethune’s life and legacy that are still relevant today including his push to socialize medicine and his humanitarianism.

During consultation, visitors and partners commented that the authenticity of Bethune Memorial House is valued. Objective 1.3 states the importance that visitors have authentic experiences, that they feel transported back in time, and that historic objects be well cared for and displayed. Feedback from the participants suggested that more could be done to enrich this element of the visitor experience program.

Key strategy 2: Partnering strategically to benefit visitors and Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site

This key strategy focuses on the need for a strong partnering strategy, as defined by objective 2.1. This strategy resounded well with participants in public consultation. The most common feedback received during the consultation period regarded partnering opportunities. Suggestions were also provided on a local, regional and an international scale. Locally, the site has strong municipal support and there is great interest in connecting the site with the downtown core, with community initiatives, and in cross-promotional opportunities. Internationally, the site is revered as a link between Canada and China. Many organizations in China expressed their interest in continuing to work with Parks Canada in the future. It was also suggested by various partners that the recognition of Bethune’s impact on Spain is growing, and that the site could benefit from deepening ties with Spain.

Objective 2.2 highlights the desire to improve awareness among visitors and Canadians about Bethune Memorial House. Feedback received was in agreement and resulted in several ideas for increasing awareness through marketing, cross promotion and outreach opportunities. It was suggested that the site could benefit from a marketing plan to successfully reach target markets in the Greater Toronto Area and to align with federal and provincial tourism strategies. Participants expressed that partnerships and outreach activities should be an important priority for Bethune Memorial House. Many partners identified the need for the site to be present at conferences, in schools, and with tourism associations.

Most respondents agreed with objective 2.3, that connections to the First World War and to Indigenous histories are important to emphasize the importance of Bethune’s story on both a national and an international scale. Among the feedback received, there was wide support for the presentation of Bethune’s connection to the world wars, and a link with Indigenous stories.

It was also noted that the importance of capturing Bethune’s spirit and his legacy was well documented in the proposed vision, but that this element was not as strong in the main strategies and objectives of the plan.

Conclusion

The consultation exercise proved to be a positive one and enabled Parks Canada to improve its approach to the management of the national historic site and to its work with the public and stakeholders. As a whole, the people who participated in the consultations expressed that they were in favour of this approach and supported the management objectives proposed by Parks Canada.

The results of public consultation reinforced the vision and key strategies laid out in the draft Management Plan for Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site. Feedback was heavily centred around and in favour of increasing relevance through visitor experiences, and leveraging partnering opportunities. While considering this feedback, edits have been made to the draft plan to include further details on the importance of developing authentic and accurate experiences for visitors as well as building and maintaining a strong network of support with partners. Given the participant’s comments, the draft management plan was also edited to include further details on the importance of the inspirational nature of the Bethune story. The management plan now states that the site will strive to be recognized as a “place of inspiration”, where visitors, volunteers and virtual visitors continue to be inspired by the legacy of Dr. Bethune. The management plan will be finalized by the end of 2020.

Parks Canada would like to thank all the participants that took part in the consultation exercise for having submitted their ideas and vision concerning the future of this national historic site.

Appendix I – Partners consulted/engaged

Appendix II – Summary of topics