April 2 , 2007

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN ONTARIO’S HERITAGE
Funding For Community Museum Program Increased By 85 Per Cent

PETERBOROUGH — The McGuinty government is providing an additional $2.3 million in annual funding to the Community Museum Operating Grant program, Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today.  This represents an increase of 85 per cent.

“This increase in annual funding, to $5 million, will help museums across the province protect and interpret Ontario’s heritage,” said Di Cocco.  “Museums contribute to lifelong learning and the creation of vibrant, creative communities.  I am really pleased we are able to provide a permanent increase in our support for community museums.”

“People from all over the world come to visit the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough and many of them stay on to discover the beauty of the Kawarthas,” said Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal. “This increase to community museum funding will help draw even more people to our wonderful museum, and to other museums across Ontario.”

 “We are pleased that the Province is recognizing the importance of museums’ role as stewards in protecting the irreplaceable collections entrusted to us and the challenges we face,” said Verne McKay, Chair of The Canadian Canoe Museum Board. “This increase in funds available for day-to-day costs of operating is a step in the right direction.”

About 180 museums operated by non-profit corporations, municipalities, conservation authorities, library boards and First Nations will be eligible for the increased funding.

The Ontario Government helps another 170 small museums and historical societies through the Heritage Organizations Development Grant.  The government also supports heritage organizations by providing annual grants and technical advice to 13 Provincial Heritage Organizations, including the Ontario Museum Association.

 

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Contacts:
Mark Thompson, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4071
Guy Lepage, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497