[BCMA MBEN] [Fwd] Museums Vote Passed in House of Commons
Jim Harding
JHarding@MuseumsAssn.bc.ca
Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:25:59 -0700
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<p><font face=3D"Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">Following is the la=
test on MAP...</span></font></p>
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<p><font face=3D"Arial" size=3D"4"><span style=3D"font-size:14pt"><b>Museu=
ms Vote Passed in House of Commons <br/>
<br/>
</b></span></font><font face=3D"Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">Otta=
wa, October 25, 2006 - Yesterday, Members of Parliament voted
in support of rescinding the recent unexpected cuts to MAP, and
further that a new Canadian Museums Policy be established as soon
as possible. The vote was 146 in favour, 114 against, with the three
Opposition parties voting for it, and the government members voting
against. <br/>
<br/>
This vote follows Monday's unprecedented three hour debate in the full
House of Commons on the need for stable long-term funding for
Canada's museums, and a new museums policy — as per the
Conservative Party's election commitment — as soon as possible. <br/=
>
<br/>
Over the past two days, museums have been front and center in the
House of Commons. Never before has there been such a debate in the
full chamber on the federal role in supporting museums across
Canada. <br/>
<br/>
Here is some of what was said during Monday's debate: </span></font></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left=3D6mm; margin-right=3D6mm; text-indent=3D0mm"><fon=
t face=3D"Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">—MP Maka Kotto (BQ):=
"The Standing Committee on
Canadian Heritage and the Standing Committee on Finance
have presented successive recommendations to previous
governments and the current government in favour of new
investment in museums. The urgency of having a federal
museum policy is supported by the current Government of
Quebec, by the provinces and territories of Canada, by the
tourist industry, the cities, municipalities and several other
entities.In light of this data, the Canadian Museums
Association and the Société des musées québécois =
recently
called on the Government of Canada to immediately honour
the election promise by the Conservative Party of Canada to
implement a new Canadian museum policy with multi-year
funding for museums across Canada as soon as possible." <br/>
<br/>
—MP Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Canadian Heritage (CPC), repeated that his government
intends to bring in a new policy for museums but needs time to
consider the issues. He went on to discuss "third party
delivery" of the new programs and the need to raise public
support for museums. He stated: "There is a fundamental
question that has to be answered. What museum, at what
place in Canada, should be getting federal funding, and for
what purposes? There is, within museums, the entire issue of
the facilities, the building of the facilities. There is the
maintenance of the facilities. There is the issue of acquisition
and storage of artifacts. There is the staffing issue. What
portion of museum costs should be borne by the federal
taxpayer and why?" <br/>
<br/>
—MP Charlie Angus, NDP: "What we need in this House is a
commitment. We need to tell our cultural arts sector, not only
that they are the ones who tell our stories and make of us a
nation, but that they are also a serious industry. These
museums are a serious player in the creation of jobs. If we go
to any small town in Canada and ask people in the town about
their tourism strategy, what do they point to? They point to
their museum. Every small town knows that culture is what
brings in tourists and tourists play a major role in the ability of
our smaller communities to survive." </span></font></p>
<p><font face=3D"Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt">CMA will be meeting=
with the Honourable Bev Oda, Minister for
Canadian Heritage, shortly to present preliminary recommendations for
the long awaited museums policy and funding requirements. CMA
hopes she will make a commitment to bring this in as early as the next
federal budget expected in February or March. CMA encourages
members, trustees, volunteers, and all those who support Canada's
heritage to talk to MPs, and inform them of their needs. <br/>
<br/>
For the complete transcript of the debate, select media coverage, and
reactions to the MAP cuts, visit </span></font><a href=3D"http://www.museu=
ms.ca"><font face=3D"Arial">
<b><u>www.museums.ca</u></b></font></a><font face=3D"Arial">
 <br/>
<br/>
For more information:<br/>
Monique Horth<br/>
Director of Public and Professional Affairs <br/>
</font><a href=3D"mailto:mhorth@museums.ca"><font face=3D"Arial">
<b><u>mhorth@museums.ca</u></b></font></a><br/>
<font face=3D"Arial">
613-567-0099 l225</font></p>
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<div align=3D"left"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"><span style=3D=
"font-size:12pt">_______________________________</span></font></div>
<div align=3D"left"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"><span style=3D=
"font-size:12pt">Jim Harding, ED</span></font></div>
<div align=3D"left"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"><span style=3D=
"font-size:12pt">BC Museums Association</span></font></div>
<div align=3D"left"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"><span style=3D=
"font-size:12pt">(250) 356-5694</span></font></div>
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