The Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum are set to reduce their permanent staff levels by 18% in the next three years following cuts outlined in the federal budget. Avra Gibbs-Lamey, a representative for the history museum, disclosed that the number of permanent staff will dwindle from 371 to 304. Notably, a portion of the positions being eliminated are corporate roles that cater to both institutions, with a 24% reduction in management positions.
Ruth Lau MacDonald, the regional executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) for the National Capital Region, highlighted that the job cuts will impact a wide range of staff members, including executives, security personnel, and tour guides. This could potentially affect the visitor experience, leading to more self-guided tours and fewer interactions with subject matter experts.
While recognizing the impact on staffing levels, Gibbs-Lamey clarified that the number of front-line staff at the history museum remains unchanged. She emphasized that the cuts are aimed at positioning the Canadian Museum of History to better focus on its mandate, fostering research, developing top-tier exhibitions, and enhancing public engagement.
According to Ines Akué, a spokesperson for Canadian Heritage, the staff reductions align with the museum’s objectives to enhance efficiency and ensure long-term adaptability to fulfill its mandate. This move is part of a broader trend as governments globally reduce funding for museums, prompting institutions to seek ways to generate their own revenue.
Yves Bergeron, a professor of museum studies at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), underscored the need for cost-saving measures such as resource sharing between institutions to mitigate the impact on visitor experiences. While the cuts raise concerns about the museum’s ability to carry out research and fieldwork with Indigenous communities, Gibbs-Lamey reassured that projects related to reconciliation will remain a top priority for the museum.
In the realm of museum funding, the Canadian Museum of History is tasked with finding annual savings ranging from $2.4 million to $5.9 million as part of a comprehensive spending review. Certain Ottawa museums, including the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, have been exempted from budget reductions.