Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

A think-tank founded by the Aga Khan with $30 million from taxpayers has finally moved into a prime heritage building in Ottawa 10 years after the federal government gave it a 99-year lease.

The Global Centre for Pluralism (GCP) pays the federal government $1 a year to use the building at 330 Sussex Dr., formerly the Canadian War Museum. The agreement also allows the GCP to lease out office space in the building at commercial rates.

And it already has a tenant: the Royal Canadian Mint, a Crown corporation.

The Hindu American Foundation wrote a letter to His Highness the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community, commending him for his recent $40 million investment for the establishment of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada.
April 30, 2005

To His Highness the Aga Khan,

The Aga Khan last week welcomed the announcement by the government of Canada of its intellectual, institutional and financial contribution to become a partner in the new Global Centre for Pluralism in co-operation with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).Founded by the Aga Khan and to be based in Ottawa, the Global Centre for Pluralism will be a non- denominational, not-for-profit Canadian organisation with global reach. The government of Canada said in Ottawa on April 18 it will contribute CAD$30 million ($23.7 million) to the Centre.

His Highness the Aga Khan today welcomed the announcement by the Government of Canada of its intellectual, institutional and financial contribution to become a partner in the new Global Centre for Pluralism in cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and to be based in Ottawa, the Global Centre for Pluralism will be a non-denominational, not-for-profit, Canadian organization with global reach. The Government of Canada said today it will contribute $30 million to the Centre.

The Government of Canada today welcomed the decision by the Aga Khan Development Network to establish the Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada.'Canadian society provides a model to the world of how democracy, prosperity and security can flourish when founded on a culture of respect and diversity', said Prime Minister Paul Martin.