From the Canadian Museums Association:

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 This outdated framework has led to a critical situation where existing programs, despite their original intent, are no longer fit for their original purpose. 

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to let our museums – these vital custodians of our heritage and significant contributors to our economy – falter due to outdated policies and inadequate support. 

Read the joint statement here.