Communiqué September 21, 2017 CMA Urges Heritage Committee to Resume Museums Study OTTAWA, Ontario, September 21, 2017 — The Canadian Museums Association (CMA) warmly welcomes new members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and reiterates the utmost importance of the Study on the State of Canadian Museums. In June 2016, the CMA Board of Directors presented its preliminary recommendations to the Committee and stated that the current federal museum policies are out of date and no longer meet the needs of museums and galleries. Museums welcome over 62 million visitors each year and play a vital role of preserving our achievements, building social cohesion and national understanding. The CMA urges the Committee to continue with hearings and to issue a full report with recommendations for action. “Most primary federal museum programs have not changed over the last 40 years, other than to have had their budgets reduced,” said John G. McAvity, the CMA’s executive director and CEO. “The Committee held three days of hearings last year and is scheduled to hold at least six more days of hearings at a time not yet determined. The Committee plays an important role for Canada and we request that it resumes its Study on the State of Canadian Museums as soon as possible,” he added. The CMA and regional museum associations asked museums to meet their members of Parliament and to discuss their needs this summer. We encourage museums to continue to do this and to send in their views to their members of Parliament and the Clerk of the Committee. Forthcoming hearings will include invited museum representatives. If you would like to appear before the Committee, contact your member of Parliament or The Clerk of the Committee, Michael MacPherson by email at [email protected] or by writing: Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage Sixth Floor, 131 Queen Street House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6 Canada Seven new appointments to the Committee: • Sean Casey (L), Charlottetown, P.E.I., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, • Anju Dhillon (L), Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle, Que., • Julie Dzerowicz, (L), Davenport, Ont., • Robert Kitchen (C), Souris-Moose Mountain, Sask., • Stéphane Lauzon (L), Argenteuil – La Petite-Nation, Que, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities, • Martin Shields (C), Bow River, Alta., • Arif Virani (L), Parkdale-High Park, Ont., Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism. Continuing members of the Committee: • Hon. Hedy Fry (L), Vancouver Centre, B.C., Chair of the Committee, • Pierre Nantel (NDP), Longueuil--Saint-Hubert, Que., Vice Chair of the Committee, • Pierre Breton (L), Shefford, Que., • Julie Dabrusin (L), Toronto-Danforth, Ont., • Hon. Peter Van Loan (C), York-Simcoe, Ont., • Dan Vandal (L), Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, Man. The CMA’s Brief to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage as well as our submission for the next federal budget and other advocacy documents are available at www.museums.ca. CMA Brief to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage CMA Submission to Standing Committee on Finance in advance of 2018 budget A Snapshot of Canada’s Museums -30- About the Canadian Museums Association The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of Canada's museum sector. The CMA works for the recognition, growth and stability of the sector. Canada's 2,600 museums and related institutions preserve our collective memory, shape our national identity and promote tolerance and understanding. Learn more at www.museums.ca. For more information: Mafoya Dossoumon Communications Manager Canadian Museums Association 613-567-0099 ext. 243 [email protected] Disponible en français .