Budget 2008: Another Opportunity Missed

Ottawa, February 26, 2008 — The Canadian Museums Association is disappointed with today’s federal budget. “Again, the Conservative government has missed an opportunity to deliver on its promise to deliver a new National Museum Policy and a renewed investment in the preservation of our heritage" said CMA Executive Director, John McAvity.

Mr. McAvity was commenting on Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s third federal budget, delivered in the House of Commons this afternoon. In budget discussions, the CMA provided specific recommendations on components of a new policy and to address cuts in the past two years to museum programs.

Re-allocations within the Canadian Heritage department are a mix of good and bad news for museums. While there is little detail in the budget papers released today, $23.2 million in funding over two years for agencies to support ‘digitization’ are being re-allocated to other priorities. This may impact on the Virtual Museum of Canada’s digitization program but this remains to be verified.

The budget announces the re-allocation of $9 million over two years for National Museums to use for operating and infrastructure spending. Clarifying the budgets of the national museums is welcome and adds to the almost $100 million in funding over five years for National museums announced in December 2006. Together with the establishment of the new Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg, this government is contributing to national museums. However, it continues to ignore the needs of museums in communities across Canada that are fighting to preserve and protect our national heritage.

“In two years, this government has failed to deliver on its promise of a new policy," said McAvity, “we once again urge Prime Minister Harper, Heritage Minister Verner and the Conservative government to work with the museum community to deliver a new policy during the life of this Parliament." 


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For more information:
John G. McAvity
Executive Director 
Canadian Museums Association
jmcavity@museums.ca

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