[Bcma-l] CMA, Communique: Budget 2008: Another Opportunity Missed

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	CMA, Communiqué: Budget 2008: Another Opportunity Missed 
[REF5360000725000006781]
Date: 	Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:50:00 -0500
From: 	Canadian Museums Association des musées canadiens 
<lmcconnell@museums.ca>



    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."


– 30 –

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

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