2022-23 Consultations on the renewal of the Museum Policy

Current status: Closed

Consultations took place between October 2022 and June 2023.

About the consultations

In May 2022, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that Canadian Heritage would begin work on renewing the Canadian Museum Policy. The renewal of the policy will take into account the information received during a consultation exercise that ran from October 2022 to June 2023.

Who participated

The Department of Canadian Heritage sought feedback from all Canadians, whether in Canada or abroad, who have an interest in, or wanted to share their opinion on, museums in Canada. The department engaged with:

• The general public
• Indigenous partners
• Heritage sector stakeholders
• Advocacy organizations
• Provincial and territorial representatives
• Federal institutions and organizations

Key themes for the consultations

The consultations gathered views on issues of importance to Canadians, Indigenous partners and the heritage sector through the following themes:

1. role of museums in society;
2. resilience and sustainability in the sector;
3. reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples;
4. equity, diversity and inclusion; and
5. preservation and access, including the digital transformation.

Types of engagement

Heritage institutions online survey

Heritage institutions, including museums, art galleries, archives, heritage sites, botanical gardens and zoos received an online survey in October 2022. The survey was completed by 792 institutions.

Public online survey and written submissions

Canadians had the opportunity to complete an online survey from March to April 2023. Participation was voluntary and confidential. A total of 2,072 participants completed the online survey.

Canadians also had the opportunity to submit in writing their testimony, essay and feedback in support of the policy renewal. The deadline for written submissions was June 2023. The department received 34 written submissions.

Virtual roundtable sessions

The Department of Canadian Heritage hosted a series of virtual roundtable sessions from October 2022 to May 2023. Those who could not attend to the sessions shared their feedback in one-on-one calls or through written submissions. Over 100 organizations and individuals participated in this engagement.

Dates and scope for the virtual roundtables

Dates	Participant organizations and regions
February 23, 2023	Archives associations and related organizations – National
March 9, 2023	Museum associations and related organizations – National
April 25, 2023	Heritage Institutions – Ontario Region
April 27, 2023	Heritage Institutions – Atlantic (NB, NL, NS and PE)
May 2, 2023	Heritage Institutions – Quebec Region
May 4, 2023	Heritage Institutions – Prairies and Northern region (MB, NT, NU and SK)
May 10, 2023	Heritage Institutions – Western Region (AB, BC and YT)
May 11, 2023	Expert Session

Indigenous heritage organizations and experts

Indigenous museums, cultural centres, knowledge keepers and experts were also invited to participate in Sharing Circles and one-on-one interviews on the same themes as in the virtual roundtables, with particular attention to issues related to reconciliation within the context of the Museum Policy. These engagements took place in May and June 2023 and engaged approximately 40 participants.

Modern Treaty Holders

In January 2023, letters were sent to modern treaty holders and those with self-government agreements to seek their views on the renewal of the Museum Policy. Recipients were invited to share their feedback by April 2023. The department received 6 responses from First Nations and Inuit governments representing 16 out of 25 modern treaty holders.

Consultation with provincial and territorial governments

The department engaged with provincial and territorial government officials through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Culture and Heritage table meetings in September and November 2022.

What we heard

Final reports

• Highlights of Museum Policy Stakeholder Survey

Check back soon for more highlights and reports.

Related information

• Renewal of the Canadian Museum Policy – Discussion Guide
• 1990 Museum Policy
• Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions, 2021
• Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Arts Culture, Heritage and Sport Sector Recovery from the Impact of the COVID-19, 2022
• Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Report on the State of Museums in Canada, 2018

Contact us

Canadian Heritage
Heritage Branch
25 Eddy Street, 9th floor
Gatineau, Quebec J8X 4B5

Email

politiquemuseale-museumpolicy@pch.gc.ca

Telephone

1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm (ET).