CHPC Committee Report

Mr. Gary Schellenberger, M.P.
Chair, Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
House of Commons
Ottawa, Canada
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Schellenberger:

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons and on behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to transmit the Government Response to the Ninth Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage relating to museums in Canada.

The Government strongly values the role museums play in preserving and commemorating our past. On behalf of the Government, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee members for their ongoing review of this important issue, and recognize the significance of the Committee’s work and its recommendations.

Canada’s museums are a key contributor to our quality of life, to our social and economic well being and to our understanding of Canada, its history, science, art, and natural history. The Canadian museum sector encompasses the national museums, the provincial museums and other major collections, mid-sized institutions in regional centres, Aboriginal cultural centres and small community institutions. The sector includes museums dedicated to the rich stories of our past, art galleries, natural history collections, and living collections protected by zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens.

The Government’s most significant responsibility with respect to the museums sector is the national collections it holds in public trust for Canadians as set out in the Museums Act. The national museums are the only museums with explicit mandates to preserve and present the heritage of the entire country. They also are the only museums that receive annual operating support from the federal government through Parliamentary appropriations.

In 2006-2007, the Government invested almost $225 million through Parliamentary appropriations for the national museums. This is a major commitment to the preservation of our heritage.

On December 4, 2006, the Government announced a significant investment in the infrastructure requirements for federal institutions. An additional $41 million will be spent over the next five years for capital projects at the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The national museums are key assets for the Government in pursuing its policy objectives in the area of museums.

The Government also recognizes the important roles played by other museums across the country. The Museums Assistance Program will continue to fund Canadian museum projects and employment opportunities for young people working in museums. Museums are also eligible for several other programs and services within the Department of Canadian Heritage including Cultural Spaces Canada, Canadian Culture On Line, the Movable Cultural Property Grants Program, the Canadian Conservation Institute, the Canadian Heritage Information Network, and the heritage component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program.

In addition to the direct investment provided through these programs, Budget 2006 also made it more attractive for taxpayers to make donations to charities by eliminating the capital gains tax on donations of publicly listed securities to registered charities such as museums.

The Government is working with the Canadian Museums Association and its members to develop a renewed vision for the museum sector that will better address today’s challenges and realities. It must take account of the appropriate role for the Government of Canada in relation to the roles played by other levels of government and the private sector. Canadians want to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are being invested responsibly.

On behalf of the Government, I wish to assure the Committee that the issues that have been raised in the Committee’s recent studies related to Canadian museums and in the Committee’s reports are being carefully considered.

Yours sincerely,

Bev Oda, P.C., M.P.