The federal government wants nine cities across Canada to compete for the right to host the national portrait gallery originally slated to open in Ottawa.

"Our government has set forth the notion that national cultural institutions do not necessarily have to be located in the national capital," said Heritage Minister Josée Verner at a news conference Friday announcing what she called "a bold and innovative step."

Heritage Minister Josée Verner said national cultural institutions don't necessarily have to be located in the national capital.
(CBC)

The competition will seek a qualified developer in "the best possible location in Canada" for the Portrait Gallery of Canada, Verner said.

The Conservative government has launched a request for proposals from Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Verner said those cities are being considered because they have large populations, strong tourism and would make the gallery accessible.

Information about the contest will be posted next week on the Public Works and Government Services Canada website, and the winner will be announced before summer 2008.

Original Ottawa site not in running: Fortier

Public Works Minister Michael Fortier said the government wants to ensure maximum tax-dollar benefits by including the private sector in developing the new gallery.

He estimated it would open in 2011 or 2012, and he said the historic Ottawa building originally chosen to house it will not be considered as a possible site.

When asked about the $8 million spent on the portrait gallery already, Fortier said about half of that would have been spent on the project even if work hadn't begun on the site in Ottawa.

The gallery was announced by the Liberal government in 2001, and was to open in 2005 in the historic former American embassy building across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa at an estimated cost of $22 million.

However, the project's cost grew to $45 million and its opening was delayed until at least 2007.

After Stephen Harper's Conservative Government launched a review of the project in 2006, rumours began circulating that the gallery might move to Calgary.

The gallery's collection of portraits is currently housed out of public view in an Ottawa area building operated by the national archives.

With files from the Canadian Press