Welcome

What is the RCMP Heritage Centre?

The RCMP Heritage Centre (RCMP HC) exists to tell the story of the RCMP.

The RCMP story includes the Force's role in the development of Canada, the role of the RCMP in policing over 200 communities across Canada, the challenges of serving as Canada's Federal Police Force, and the role the RCMP plays internationally. 

The RCMP HC opened on May 23, 2007 and offers 10,000 sq.ft. of exhibits, a 27-minute multimedia show, a 2,000 sq.ft. temporary exhibit gallery and a 2,800 sq. ft. community programming room. 

The RCMP HC is located on the grounds of the RCMP Academy, ‘Depot' Division in Regina, Saskatchewan. The RCMP HC leases this land from the RCMP.

Who owns and operates the RCMP Heritage Centre?

The RCMP HC is owned and operated by a nationally registered non-profit corporation, the Mounted Police Heritage Centre Inc. 

The Centre is not owned and/or operated by the Federal Government or the RCMP. The RCMP HC receives no annual operational funding from any level of government or from the RCMP. 

The RCMP HC relies on admissions, gift shop sales and facility rental revenues to support operations. 

The staff of the RCMP HC are employed by the non-profit corporation and are responsible for building operations, program development and delivery, marketing, gift shop operations, and events. The President and CEO of the RCMP HC reports to national board of directors comprised of twelve - (12) people from across Canada.

How much did the RCMP Heritage Centre cost to build, and where did the money come from?

The RCMP HC cost $29.5 million ($20.5 million for the building and $9 million for exhibit and multimedia development). 

The Government of Canada contributed $23.5 million to the project (including $5 million from the RCMP's capital budget in FY 2006-07). The Government of Saskatchewan committed $3.5 million to the capital cost, while private donors contributed the remaining $2.5 million. 

Why is the RCMP Heritage Centre still raising money?

The RCMP HC relies on donations from individuals and corporations over the long-term. Such donations are critical to maintaining operational stability and to enhancing programming in the future (e.g.: travelling exhibitions; enhanced virtual programming and education elements).

How can I make a donation to support the RCMP Heritage Centre?

The RCMP HC gratefully accepts donations from individuals and organizations that support telling the RCMP story to people from around the world. For more information on gifting options please visit our web site at the following link:  http://www.rcmpheritagecentre.com/index.php/general/list/menu_id/35

You can also make a donation by calling (306) 522-7333 (ext 3013) or by email. Please note that all donations over $10.00 will be issued a charitable tax receipt.

Why does the RCMP Heritage Centre charge admission?

The RCMP HC currently receives no annual operational funding from any government (although it is worthy of note that the City of Regina currently provides a five year property tax exemption and has received an operational one-time grant from Western Economic Diversification). As such all operations are funded through own-source revenues, the largest stream of which is our charge for admission to the Centre.

If the RCMP HC is reliant on admissions to support its operations, why do RCMP Members, employees and veterans receive a discount and why do cadets receive free admission during training? 

The RCMP HC recognizes the contribution of RCMP Members, employees and veterans by offering a significant reduction in admission fees (e.g.: a 50% reduction in the case of adult admission; and, a 40% reduction in the case of admission for seniors).

In addition, we are also very proud of our program that offers RCMP Cadets free admission while they are in training at Depot in recognition of the RCMP HC's contribution to their learning. We are also proud to offer a free admission package to their families on graduation weekends as our way of congratulating them on the completion of their training.

How are profits from the gift shop used?

All profits from the gift shop are re-invested immediately to support the operations of the Heritage Centre. Sales of RCMP licensed merchandise also support the RCMP Foundation, which funds many RCMP community-based initiatives across Canada.

Do I have to pay admission to the Centre if I want to shop at the gift shop?

No. The gift shop is located in the lobby of the RCMP HC, and can be accessed without having to pay admission to the Centre.

How many artifacts are on display?

The RCMP Heritage Centre is proud to display artifacts from the RCMP's historical collection. The artifacts on display in the permanent exhibits represent approximately one per cent - (1%) of the total collection (which consists of approximately 33,000 aritfacts).

This is deliberate for two reasons:

  1. The Heritage Centre experience is intended to convey as much about the role of modern policing as the historical view. That is why many exhibits and educational programming (including the Tour of Duty multimedia show) focus on modern elements of policing using interactive designs rather than artifacts; and,
  2. We will be using the temporary exhibit gallery to rotate artifacts from the collection into public viewing on an on-going basis. We are committed to working with the RCMP Historical Collections Unit to ensure that as much as possible from the collection is on display long into the future.

Who owns and manages the artifacts?

RCMP artifacts are owned by the RCMP and are managed by the RCMP's Historical Collections Unit (HCU).

This is one of the most unique aspects of the RCMP Heritage Centre. While the Mounted Police Heritage Centre operates the building and runs the programming, the RCMP HCU is solely responsible for managing the collection itself. The HCU staff, who work out of the Heritage Centre, make all decisions regarding donations to the Collection.

How do I make a donation to the RCMP Collection?

Inquiries regarding potential donations to the RCMP Collection should be directed to:

Rhonda Lamb
Manager - RCMP Historical Collections Unit
(306) 522-7333 (ext 3017)
or by email

The Collection itself, while housed at the Heritage Centre, remains the property of the RCMP. 

I'm looking for information about a member or former member of the RCMP, can you help me?

Please see our request for information page.

Do volunteers help with work in the Heritage Centre?

Yes, the RCMP HC has an active and growing volunteer program. We work closely with the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre to recruit and train volunteers, primarily as docents and as gift shop associates. Our volunteer docents are available to answer visitors' questions in the exhibit hall (and sometimes on tours of the Heritage Precinct), while our gift shop volunteers do everything from inventory to staffing the register.

These committed and knowledgeable volunteers are critical to our long-term success. They help keep costs down and provide our visitors with an authentic and meaningful experience while at the Heritage Centre.

If you are interested in volunteering at the RCMP HC please contact our volunteer coordinator by email or telephone (306) 522-7333 ext. 3013.

Who are the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre?

The Friends are a group of volunteers (primarily, but not exclusively) former Members and their spouses who support the RCMP Heritage Centre. They volunteer their time as docents and gift shop associates, and conduct fundraising to support both Heritage Centre operations as well as new acquisitions for the RCMP Historical Collections Unit. For more information on the Friends visit our web site at: http://www.rcmpheritagecentre.com/index.php/general/list/menu_id/61  

For more information about becoming a member of the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre please call (306) 347-7676, email, or write to: Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre, 5907 Dewdney Ave., Regina, SK S4T 0P4 for more information.