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Canada's Oldest Charter Saved from Private Sale
3 Dec
Summary
- Wealthy families successfully bid for the 355-year-old Hudson's Bay charter.
- The charter, signed by King Charles II in 1670, will be donated to public museums.
- A $5 million donation is earmarked for Indigenous consultations on the charter.

The historic royal charter that established the Hudson's Bay Company approximately 355 years ago is set to remain in public hands following a successful bid by two prominent Canadian families. The charter, originally granted by King Charles II in 1670, conferred vast trading and resource exploitation rights.
Holding companies associated with David Thomson and Galen Weston submitted a joint $18 million bid, aiming to preserve the document for public access. Their bid ensures the charter will be permanently donated to institutions like the Manitoba Museum and the Canadian Museum of History.
This outcome prevents a private sale and includes a $5 million contribution for Indigenous consultations. Experts emphasize the charter's colonial implications and the importance of this repatriation for reconciliation and public education.

