It was announced today that three architectural firms have been selected by the Architectural Review Committee in Stage 3 of the International Architectural Design Competition for The Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The three finalists were chosen through an interview process by the Architectural Review Committee from eight firms who were invited in Stage 2 to participate in Stage 3 of the competition. The eight proposals were on exhibition at The Forks Market and on the museum's Web site where the public was able to submit its feedback.

The three firms are: Antoine Predock Architect; Dan Hanganu Architects & The Arcop Group; and Saucier + Perrotte Architectes.

Gail Asper, Chair of the Capital Campaign for Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and member of the Architectural Review Committee commented "Selecting three finalists from the extraordinary eight that reached Stage 2 of the International Architectural Design Competition was extremely difficult. All eight designs were remarkable in their own, unique way but the three finalists clearly possessed a vision that resonated with the Architectural Review Committee. Members of the Committee are very excited as one of these magnificent designs will soon be chosen as the winner of this incredible competition."

The vision of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is to create a distinctive architecturally exceptional museum that will help to eliminate intolerance through recognition of human rights as the foundation for human equality, dignity and freedom world-wide. The museum has made groundbreaking history, as it will be the largest human rights institution and centre for education in the world today. The museum is a joint project of Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Inc., the Forks North Portage Partnership, the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg.

The site is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city in the geographic centre of Canada. The land on which the project will be located is an historic place at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers at the Forks. The building program is estimated at 240,000 square feet (22,300 gross square meters) with the Tower of Hope as a distinctive and additional element of the project.

Each of the three finalists will receive CA$100,000, the award that was set for Stage 3 of the competition. The three finalists have been invited to compete in a Limited Competition which includes submissions of a museum model. Following the completion of all the requirements of Stage 3, the Architectural Review Committee will make a recommendation of the selected architect to Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.