Museums are important and popular institutions in Canadian communities, attracting large numbers of visitors. There are over 2,500 non-profit museums in Canada, ranging from large metropolitan galleries to small community museums run by volunteers. They contribute to economic development, provide thousands of jobs and employ over 50,000 volunteers. Their economic impact is estimated at over $17 billion per year. Museums are also the cornerstone of our tourism strategy.
Museums attract over 59 million visitors each year. Studies show that over 60 per cent of all international tourists visit a Canadian museum during their stay in this country. Museums are dynamic centres of learning and exchange and serve as meeting points. They help members of our society acquire a better understanding of a wide range of subjects. They provide people from every generation and all walks of life with rewarding learning opportunities.
Today, museums are vitally important to improving education programs. Over 7.5 million school children visit museums each year as part of their active learning process.
Museums are bridges to improving understanding, celebrating achievements, exploring differences, and discovering what we all share.
Most importantly, museums preserve our heritage. If they don't, we lose it and it doesn't come back. The history and heritage of our communities are in our local museums. They tell the stories of our families, our roots, and our values. Our heritage is not just in federally managed museums; our community heritage is every bit as important, and we are losing it.
Finally, museums are landmarks in our communities. When we welcome world leaders and international dignitaries, we do so at our museums. They showcase our rich history and who we are.