Bravo to James Moore, the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Last night, the National Library and National Archives of Canada had been scheduled to show the documentary Iranium, which concerns Iran’s nuclear programme. However, there were complaints by the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa. Then came subsequent telephone threats as well as two suspicious letters which prompted the Archives to close early.

It should be noted that the National Libary and National Archives of Canada is located on Wellington Street and is next door to the Supreme Court of Canada and a short distance away from Parliament Hill. On a personal note, I spent many hours at the National Archives working on my undergraduate thesis so I know the place intimately. When you enter the building the first thing you see is Glenn Gould’s Steinway piano.

Well, this was too much to bear for Moore who has issued an order that the National Archives show the film. Moore stated, “The Iranian Embassy will not dictate to the Government of Canada which films will or will not be shown in Canada.” Moore has represented his Vancouver area constituency in the House of Commons under the Conservative Party banner since 2000 and was appointed Minister of Canadian Heritage by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in October 2008.

The National Archives will show Iranium sometime next month. The film is due to premier in the U.S. on February 8th.