Meeting with Minister DiCocco
April 30, 2007
During the April 30 meeting with the Minister of Culture, The
Honourable Caroline Di Cocco, OMA President Tammy
Adkin and Executive Director Marie Lalonde
thanked the Minister for the additional $2.3 million in CMOG funding
effective this 2007-08 fiscal year, as announced in the March provincial
budget. The Minister was also presented with a colourful banner
made by children visiting the London Regional Children’s Museum,
thanking her for her support of museums.
Minister Di Cocco expressed satisfaction that after many years,
museums would now receive more support through the CMOG program,
and she acknowledged the need for further support in the future.
Minister Di Cocco conveyed her concern for museums in light of the
federal cuts to the MAP program. The OMA reinforced that both CMOG
and MAP programs were of vital importance to museums as they allow
and assist with different but complementary activities.
The OMA recommended that the distribution of the additional CMOG
funding be made to reflect the spirit of the funding formula in
the Ontario Heritage Act, and be pro-rated for allocation among
recipients.
Bringing forward some of its research findings, the OMA highlighted
the remaining gap of $2.7 million between the CMOG envelope now
at $5 million, and the eligible funding amount of $7.7 million for
current recipients. It was noted that these amounts were not adjusted
for inflation.
Other research highlights brought forward from the 2004 statistics,
showed that of the revenue sources to museums which are CMOG recipients,
7.5% is provided by the province, with federal funding at 3.5%,
an active museum sector bringing self-generated revenue at a level
of 37.4%, and municipal funding investments contributing 51.6% of
the total aggregate revenue.
As part of the discussion, the OMA reiterated its request for new
provincial funding to assist all Ontario museums striving to meet
the Ministry of Culture’s Standards for Community Museums, and that
while there is much appreciation for the $6.8 million of capital
and infrastructure funding provided to 22 museums and cultural institutions
at year-end, there still exists a tremendous need for capital funding
for so many members and museums across Ontario which the Minister
recognized.
Further discussion of the OMA research project, conducted in partnership
with the Ministry of Culture, brought forward other important initial
findings on Ontario’s museums. The OMA commented on the importance
of continued efforts to map out Ontario’s museum sector and its
intention to continue with this unique and important work.
Minister Di Cocco will be participating in a May is Museum Month
event on May 18, International Museums Day, at the Brant Museum
and Archives.
Contact: Marie G. Lalonde
Executive Director
oma@museumsontario.com
416-348-8672
or toll-free in Ontario 1-866-OMA-8672
|
|
