Israel Asper first came with the idea to build the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) on 18 July 2000. Asper spent the next three years towards making the CMHR a reality, and had a thorough feasibility study conducted by museum experts from around Canada. In 2003, Asper established a private charitable organization to build the CMHR, called the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. On April 17, the 21st anniversary of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, an event was held at The Forks in Winnipeg where Asper first publicly announced the intent to create the CMHR. The announcement included considerable funding commitments from the governments of Canada, Manitoba, and Winnipeg, as well as land donated by the Forks Renewal Corporation. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien committed the first $30 million towards the capital cost, and private fundraising was soon overseen by the Friends of the CMHR. Later that year, on October 7, on his way to announce the architectural competition in Vancouver for the CMHR’s design, Asper died suddenly at the age of 71. His family along with the Asper Foundation's executive director vowed to continue to develop the museum. Two weeks later, the groundbreaking ceremony was held at The Forks and the architectural competition announced. In 2014, a stretch of road in front of the CMHR was named Israel Asper Way. Accolades and recognition 1975 – appointed Queen’s Counsel 1979 – recipient of University of Manitoba Alumni Jubilee Award, Outstanding 25 Year Graduate 1989, 1991 – elected "Manitoba Business Entrepreneur of the Year" 1992 – Canadian Association of Broadcasters Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence 1993 – recipient of B’nai Brith International Award of Merit 1995 – inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada 1995 – inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame 1996 – chosen "Western Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year" 1997 – inducted as Laureate of Canadian Business Hall of Fame 1997 – recipient of International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award, University of Manitoba, School of Business 1999 – inducted into Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame 1999 – recipient of North American Broadcasters Association International Achievement Award 2000 – inducted as a Founding Member of the Order of Manitoba 2000 – The Faculty of Management at the University of Manitoba renamed itself the Asper School of Business. 2001 – recipient of the Edmund C. Bovey Award presented by the Canadian Business and Arts