The Canadian Museums Association is pleased last week's federal budget maintains the $500-million multi-year pandemic recovery assistance announced last year for the museum and heritage sector, even though new spending has been largely curtailed.
In a changing world, it’s to be expected that COVID-19 assistance and cultural programming would take a back seat to measures that mitigate new military threats and promote housing affordability and economic stability, says Massimo Bergamini, the association's interim executive director and CEO. .
"While some may be disappointed that the budget did not include a more robust or comprehensive response to the pressing challenges faced by Canada's museum community, none should be surprised," he says in a statement.
"For our sector, the budget represents a challenge. In a period of growing competition for scarce government resources and rapidly shifting priorities, our sector must be prepared to make a compelling case of why it matters to Canada."
He noted that the budget included a few modest new investments:
- An additional $50 million this fiscal year to the Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts and Telefilm Canada to compensate arts, culture and heritage organizations for revenue lost due to public health restrictions
- $20 million to support the construction of the new Holocaust Museum in Montreal.
As well, he cited measures to foster greater inclusiveness in the arts training sector and the creation, promotion and touring of productions with Canadian commercial and non-profit organizations.
Source: Canadian Museums Association