The Government of Canada Maintains Its Efforts to Support Cultural and Heritage Organizations

GATINEAU, Quebec – June 18, 2020

As the culture and heritage industry continues to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada must continue its efforts to support affected organizations that still face significant challenges and financial pressures.

That is why the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced new measures to assist the museum sector as well as the first component of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations.

$25.7 million in new funding for national museums and the National Battlefields Commission

Canada’s six national museums (Crown corporations)—the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and the National Battlefields Commission (a government agency)—are important cultural and historical institutions. They play an essential role in preserving our heritage and educating Canadians, and are drivers of innovation.

The Government of Canada is therefore announcing an emergency investment of $25.7 million to help these organizations maintain essential services and be ready to reopen their doors to the public once precautionary measures are lifted.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission closed their doors on March 14, 2020, to protect the health and safety of their staff, visitors, and all Canadians.

This major investment will support these national institutions, which are essential to the preservation and presentation of our artistic, cultural and historical treasures. It will also protect jobs on which many Canadians depend.

COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations: Implementation of Phase 2

Minister Guilbeault also confirmed the implementation of the first component of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations, launched in May 2020. This $500-million fund is being used to maintain jobs and support the business continuity of organizations impacted by the crisis.

To expedite the funding distribution, the government is implementing the Fund in two phases. Phase 1, which is currently underway, included the timely provision of funding to existing recipients of Canadian Heritage assistance.

The government is now ready to launch the first component of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Heritage Organizations. This component provides $53 million in support to organizations with heritage collections through the emergency component of the Museums Assistance Program. Eligible not-for-profit organizations such as museums, archives, historic sites, Indigenous organizations, official-language minority communities, or municipal and university museums with separate budgets, will now be able to apply for funding.

More information about the next component of Phase 2 will be announced shortly.

Assistance from the Emergency Support Fund is targeted, and complements general business support measures such as wage subsidies or small business loans. The measure is not intended to compensate for all income losses or revenue shortfalls; rather, it is emergency assistance to ensure the continuity of organizations’ operations and help them to meet their immediate and short-term financial commitments.

Launch of an online portal to apply for financial assistance

In addition to the streamlined processes put in place to facilitate applications from organizations in need, a funding portal is now available to further accelerate the processing of applications. Heritage organizations eligible for the Museums Assistance Program can now apply online through this new portal.