Federal funding for museums has declined significantly over the years. The main funding mechanism, the museum assistance program, was started in 1972 with a budget of $7 million per year. Today, 46 years later, that budget is about $6 million—less than in 1972. If it had kept pace with inflation, it would be at approximately $40 million today. That program is underfunded, out of date, difficult to access, and is unable to meet the needs of the sector.
There is a serious decline in research, conservation and travelling exhibitions at our museums. In addition, valuable support agencies such as the Canadian Conservation Institute and the Canadian Heritage Information Network have suffered major losses in funding.
Meanwhile, the federal government has done an impressive job with many of the needs in the arts sector, such as the CBC/Radio-Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the National Arts Centre and the film industry, among others. Museums have not been addressed for many years, and it's time to do so now.
Thank you very much.