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Advocacy

 

The Ontario Museum Association works with its members to ensure a relevant and sustainable museum sector for the benefit of Ontario residents and our global community. For any advocacy-related questions, please reach out to OMA Executive Director Marie Lalonde at mlalonde@museumsontario.ca.  

An advocacy-focused newsletter is sent to members on the 2nd Thursday of each month. See past issues here. 

 

Jump to COVID-19 and Ontario Museums

Advocacy Resources

The documents below have been developed by the OMA to assist Ontario museums in communicating their impacts. For any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the OMA. 

An image of the document "Museums and Rural Communities"

An image of the document "Ontario's Museums and Action Plan"

An image of the document "Museums and Your Municipality"

An image of the document "Ontario Museums Vital Tourism Assets"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Advocacy Initiatives

COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus) and Ontario Museums
 
Please see the link below for collected information and resources regarding the novel coronavirus and its impacts for Ontario museums. These resources are not to be taken as legal advice or a definitive answer for any particular museum, but rather as a guide for preparedness for the field. We encourage members to consult relevant policies & legislation. 
 
COVID-19 Resources for Ontario Museums HERE

 

The OMA has written a letter to Ministers MacLeod, Phillips, and McNaughton to request serious consideration and support of museums during this critical time in response to COVID-19. The OMA made the following recommendations:

1. An Ontario Museums Relief Fund

2.  A Digital Response Fund

3. Early (first quarter) distribution of Ontario funding for museums and heritage organizations (Community Museum Operating Grants, Heritage Organization Development Grants, and Provincial Heritage Organization Grants)

4. Expanded employment program and income support measures, and facilitated access to these programs are top concerns for all Ontarians, including Ontario's museums.

Read the Letter HERE. 

Support the OMA's recommendations by sending a letter to your local MPP. 

Download a template letter HERE.
Find your MPP's contact information HERE.

Support for Ontario Museums in 2020 Budget
The Ontario Museum Association has recommended two areas for funding to the Ministry of Finance and the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in advance of Ontario’s 2020 budget.

The two recommended areas for funding are:
  • Create Jobs for Young People in Growing Sectors 
  • Develop Digital Access & Engagement for Rural Communities
Read the full Submission HERE.

Museum staff, volunteers, and board members can support the OMA’s Submission in two key ways:
 
1. Writing a letter to your MPP to request a meeting:

Download a template letter HERE.
Find your MPP's contact information HERE.

Please cc. the Ontario Museum Association, Marie Lalonde, mlalonde@museumsontario.ca, on your communications with your MPP.

The OMA can assist members in preparing for any meetings with MPPs.

2. Sharing a statement of support on social media or in other communications:
  • Ontario’s budget can empower museums to help Ontario reach its potential—for tourism, economic development, employment, and education.  #MuseumsConnectON #ONpoli #ONbudget

Click to Tweet this message HERE.

  • Museums, galleries, and heritage sites make Ontario communities distinct and vibrant places to live, work, visit, and invest. #MuseumsConnectON #ONpoli #ONbudget

Click to Tweet this message HERE.

  • I support the Ontario Museum Association’s two funding priorities to Create Jobs for Young People in Growing Sectors and to Develop Digital Access & Engagement for Rural Communities
    #MuseumsConnectON #ONpoli #ONbudget

Click to Tweet this message HERE.

For more news about Advocacy, see the Advocacy editions of the OMA eNewsletter, ONmuseums, on the second Thursday of each month. ONmuseums is an OMA Member Benefit; to learn about membership, click here!