[Bcma-l] CMA Welcomes New Heritage Minister

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	CMA Welcomes New Heritage Minister
Date: 	Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:16:00 -0400
From: 	Francine Caron <fcaron@museums.ca>



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*Ottawa, August 15, 2007 – *The Canadian Museums Association welcomes 
the appointment of the new Minister of Canadian Heritage, Ms. Josée 
Verner, and underscored the interest and eagerness of the museums 
community in working with the new Minister to implement a new museum policy.
“We welcome the new Minister," said CMA executive director John McAvity, 
“and we look forward to her leadership on museum issues."
“We will be seeking an early opportunity to meet with the new Minister 
to offer our full assistance in implementing a new museum policy," said 
Mr. McAvity. The CMA has been working closely with Canadian Heritage on 
the finalization of a new museum policy which has been a priority of the 
Harper government since its election in January 2006.
“This government has taken solid action to support museums," Mr. McAvity 
noted. In past months, the government has provided $10 million over two 
years for student summer employment in museums, committed to the 
establishment of the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and invested 
in several capital projects for the national museums in Ottawa. “These 
are important and welcome contributions to the museum sector and we look 
forward to building on these commitments," concluded Mr. McAvity.
The new Minister was first elected for the Quebec City area riding of 
Louis-Saint-Laurent in 2006 and appointed to Cabinet as Minister of 
International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie 
and Official Languages. She retains her responsibilities for the latter, 
in addition to her new role as Minister for Canadian Heritage and the 
Status of Women.
*The Honourable Josée Verner: Minister for Canadian Heritage*
Josée Verner was first elected as an MP in January 2006, from the riding 
of Louis-Saint Laurent. In February 2006, she was appointed as the 
Minister of International Co-operation and Minister for La Francophonie 
and Official Languages in Prime Minister Harper’s cabinet.
In addition to being the chair of the Québec Caucus for the Conservative 
Party of Canada, in June of 2004, she was named the spokesperson for the 
Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Québec in Mr. 
Harper’s shadow cabinet. This was widened to also include the Official 
Languages portfolio in September 2005. Ms. Verner has spent close to 20 
years in the communications and public service fields. She has worked 
for former Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa and for the deputy speaker of 
Québec’s National Assembly, and worked closely with the Ministry of 
Health and Social Services. Ms. Verner is deeply involved in her 
community, and has spent a significant amount of time fundraising for 
the Children’s Make A Wish Foundation.
– 30 –
For more information:
Naomi Grattan
Director Communications
613-567-0099 x223
ngrattan@museums.ca <mailto:ngrattan@museums.ca>