MHSTCI Responds to Member COVID-19 Regulation Questions

Regarding: One-Way Traffic

With respect to separate entrances and exits to facilitate one direction of flow for museum visitors, there is no such requirement for museums in O. Reg. 364/20. However, some municipalities and local medical officers of health have exercised their authority to implement more restrictions or requirements. It is important for organizations and businesses to be aware of the public health practices in their areas of operation.

Regarding: Ticketing and Pre-Registration

With regards to ticketing and pre-registration, the regulation requires a reservation for members of the public to attend a seated event or activity or an indoor event or activity within a museum.  This requirement still applies to organizations that have opted to require proof of vaccination upon entry in accordance with section 2.2 of Schedule 1. For reference, please see paragraph 7 of subsection 24 (1) of Schedule 2. 

Please note that the ministry is not in a position to provide compliance or legal advice in respect of the regulations under the Act. It is the responsibility of impacted organizations and businesses to determine how the regulations apply to their operations. In this regard, your organization or its members may consider seeking independent legal advice to better understand what rules apply to their business, including compliance with advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials and/or all applicable laws.

From the Office of the Premier:

As part of the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, the Ontario government will introduce legislation that, if passed, would raise the general minimum wage from $14.35 to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2022. Under the proposed changes, the special minimum wage rate for liquor servers would be eliminated and they would be entitled to the general minimum wage. Students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides would also see an increase in their special minimum wage rates.

Read the full news release HERE. 

Education Programs
Format: Online
Course Dates: January 17-March 27, 2022
Course Director: Meredith Leonard, Hamilton Civic Museums
Registration opens: Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Care of Collections
Pre-requisite: Artifacts
Format: Online
Course Dates: January 17-March 27, 2022
Course Director: Carmen Li, Royal Alberta Museum
Registration opens: Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Exhibit Planning & Design
Format: Online
Course Dates: February 14-April 24, 2022
Course Director: Meredith Leonard, Hamilton Civic Museums
Registration opens: December 7, 2021

Log into your Individual member account and click on My Courses to register.

Not an Individual member? Find out more about membership HERE.

Read more about the Certificate in Museum Studies Program HERE.

Questions about the CMS Program? Email pd@museumsontario.ca

This week marks the Sixth Annual Treaties Recognition Week. The week honours the importance of treaties and helps Ontario students and residents understand the significance of treaty rights, treaty relationships, and their relevance today. 

Greg Rickford, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs issued the following statement on November 1, 2021:

“Building understanding of these agreements through Treaties Recognition Week is an important part of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to increase treaty awareness...

…I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to learn more about the important role treaties play in our province’s history and heritage, and why they continue to be relevant today as we move forward together on the path to reconciliation.”

Read the full news release HERE. 
Read more about Treaties Recognition Week HERE. 

GRASAC's Treaty Timeline is intended for treaty education and research. Each link in the timeline leads to pages with more information and resources for further research. GRASAC notes that it is not complete or authoritative, and it continues to be developed. Many treaties have not yet been added to the timeline. 

View the Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts & Cultures' Treaty Timeline HERE. 

Free Webinar
Thursday, November 4, 2021
7:00pm ET

In honour of Treaties Recognition Week, Randall Kahgee will share an overview of Treaties, their historical and contemporary context, and how they govern the relationship between Indigenous people and the Federal and Provincial Governments. The talk will include a focus on treaties covering this region of the Lake Huron coast.

Randall Kahgee is Senior Counsel with Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP and specializes in indigenous rights law, with an emphasis on community-based processes and government-to-government negotiations. He served as Chief of the Saugeen First Nation for four consecutive terms from June 2006 to June 2014. He has worked with First Nation governments across Canada and participated in significant agreements between First Nation communities and provincial and federal governments on energy matters, including issues relating to the development of nuclear facilities, transmission lines, wind energy projects, as well as environmental matters. He has extensive experience in consultation and accommodation related issues and has also been involved in the negotiation and implementation of land claim and self-government agreements and participated in a number of successful impact benefit negotiations. He has also advised First Nations on a range of governance related issues. Randall received his BA (Hon) from York University and his LLB from the University of Toronto.

Register HERE. 

Anishinabek Nation has put together a resource for Treaty education from a number of contributors. Each contributor will introduce themselves, as well as why Treaty education is important. All of the content is presented in a way for educators to engage in a learning journey alongside their students in a fun and informative way. 

Read more HERE. 

• Organization requirements
• Financial statements
• Board of Directors information
• OTF policy requirements

As museums across Ontario face the challenges of reopening safely and renewing relationships with your communities, the OMA is here for you. The OMA successfully advocated for federal emergency support funding through the Museums Assistance Program, the early and streamlined release of Community Museum Operating Grant (CMOG) funds in 2020 and 2021, and for an additional $2 million to support digital activities during pandemic closures. Your support, participation, and membership make our work possible.

Representing the interests of over 700 museums, galleries, and heritage sites across the province, the OMA offers regular webinars and professional development opportunities and resources for pandemic recovery. An OMA membership connects you with our network of over 1000 members, provides you with the tools and resources that support your professional practice, and keeps you informed of breaking news about funding opportunities and policy changes via the ONmuseums weekly newsletter and timely eNews alerts.

If you are already an OMA member, thank you! Please renew your membership when you receive an email reminder.

If you are not yet a member, please consider an individual, institutional, or commercial membership for yourself, your colleagues, or your institution. You can find information about member categories and benefits on our website.

You can make a donation to the OMA on our website or through Canada Helps. Every contribution adds to the collective strength of our sector. You can help us build a more resilient museum sector. Thank you for your support!