National Museum Policy Joint Letter to the Government of Canada

December 12, 2024

The CMA, as part of a coalition of Canadian museums, and national and provincial heritage organizations issued a joint statement to the Government of Canada regarding the development of the new National Museums Policy for Canada. As passionate advocates for our country’s museums and cultural heritage, we are deeply concerned about the policy vacuum in which Canada’s museums are currently operating.

Our current National Museums Policy dates from 1990, a pre-internet era that could not have anticipated the seismic shifts in technology, climate, and society that we all now face. This outdated framework has led to a critical situation where existing programs, despite their original intent, are no longer fit for their original purpose.

For instance, the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) has been stagnant at $6.7 million annually for over a decade, falling very short of the $18 million target set for the mid-1990s. This funding paralysis, when adjusted for inflation, represents a shocking decrease in real support for our museums. How can we expect our heritage and cultural institutions to thrive, or even survive, under such constraints?

Recent research conducted by the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) and the Provincial and Territorial Museums Associations (PTMAs), including a global benchmarking report, has revealed that Canada is lagging far behind other countries in innovative and impactful heritage sector policies. While governments around the world are implementing forward-thinking strategies to support their museums, Canada remains a policy desert in this regard. This lack of innovation puts our museums at a severe disadvantage on the global stage.

The economic impact of our museums cannot be overstated. According to a 2019 report, the Canadian museum sector generates close to $8.6 billion in annual economic benefits. Yet, despite this significant contribution, most of our museums are struggling badly due to inadequate policy support and funding.

Data from “Reconsidering Museums,” a recent three-year national project that sought to understand what Canadians think about museums, revealed that an overwhelming 94% of Canadians believe museums can address critical societal issues such as climate change, Reconciliation, and technological innovation. This striking figure underscores a profound truth: to Canadians, museums are not just repositories of the past, but vital institutions shaping our present and future. Museums have the potential to become the conscience of our nation, the spaces where difficult conversations happen, where diverse perspectives meet, and where Canadians of all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in our collective story. Museums have the power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and inspire action on the most pressing issues of our time. However, without a comprehensive, modern, and forward-thinking National Museums Policy, we risk squandering this immense potential and failing to leverage one of our most powerful tools for social cohesion and national progress.

Crucially, any new National Museums Policy must prioritize self-determination for Indigenous peoples. Museums have a vital role to play in this, as recognized by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #67. The policy should support museums in fulfilling Canada’s legal obligation towards implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

We urgently need a National Museums Policy that:

• Addresses the realities of the digital age and climate crisis
• Provides sustainable, inflation-adjusted funding
• Supports museums in their roles as educational institutions, community hubs, and guardians of our collective memory
• Recognizes and leverages museums’ potential in fostering social cohesion and democratic values
• Prioritizes self-determination for Indigenous peoples and Indigenous cultural heritage rights including repatriation/rematriation
• Implements innovative strategies inspired by global best practices

The time for action is now. We cannot afford to let our museums – these vital custodians of our heritage and significant contributors to our economy – falter due to outdated policies and inadequate support.

We, the undersigned, urge you to prioritize the development and implementation of a robust, forward-thinking National Museums Policy. Our museums, and indeed our nation, deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Janis Kahentóktha Monture, Executive Director and CEO, Canadian Museums Association
Madeline Smolarz, President, Canadian Museums Association
Alexandra Badzak, Chair, Advocacy Committee, Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization (CAMDO-ODMAC)
Caitlin Bailey, Executive Director, The Vimy Foundation-Canadian Centre for the Great War
Josh Basseches, CEO, Royal Ontario Museum
Kellie Blue-McQuade, Executive Director, Association Heritage New Brunswick
Janet M. Brooke, CMA Fellow
Devin Casario, Executive Director, Association of Nova Scotia Museums (ANSM)
Stéphane Chagnon, Executive Director, Société des musées du Québec
Christine Conciatori, Director, University of Alberta Museums
Catherine Crowston, CEO, Art Gallery of Alberta
Joanne DiCosimo, CMA Fellow
Mathieu Dormaels, President, ICOMOS Canada
Anne Eschapasse, President and CEO, McCord Stewart Museum
Robin Etherington, CMA Fellow
Wendy Fitch, CMA Fellow
Dr. Morris Flewwelling, CM
Jennifer Forsyth, Executive Director/CEO, Alberta Museums Association
Ryan Hunt, Executive Director, BC Museums Association
Sharilyn Ingram, CMA Fellow
Robert Janes, CMA Fellow
Dr. Patricia Kell, Executive Director, National Trust for Canada
Claudette Leclerc, CMA Fellow
Dr. Marianne Mader, CEO, Canadian Association of Science Centres
Lianne Maitland, Executive Director, Yukon Historical & Museums Association
Lisa Making, Executive Director, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Archaeology
Emma Morris, Executive Director, Museums Association of Saskatchewan
Sarah Newstead, CEO/Executive Director, Galt Museum and Archives
Meaghan Patterson, Executive Director, Royal Alberta Museum
Dr. Sascha Priewe, President, ICOM Canada
Eric J. Ruff, CMA Fellow
Constance Scarlett, CEO, TELUS World of Science Edmonton
Candace Stevenson, CMA Fellow
Jennifer Thompson, President, The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland
Cynthia Viau-Mainville, Board President, Association des archivistes du Québec
Johanne Vigneault, Executive Director, Community Museums Association of Prince Edward Island

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