WHY NOT USE THE HERITAGE TRUST FUND FOR HERITAGE?

To the Editor,

How does one begin to put a dollar value on a love letter from Col. James MacLeod to his wife? Or a series of drawings by a First Nations artist of the changes he saw taking place on the prairies in the 19th century? Or a bible that stopped a bullet, saving a soldier's life in the First World War? Well, the provincial government has named their price and it comes up short.

Today the heritage collections of the Glenbow Museum and its services to the public are at grave risk because of waning government support. A recent announcement of a $1 million shortfall for the upcoming budget year and a decision to cut back means the staff at the Glenbow Museum are facing yet another round in a series of lay offs. This affects Albertans directly because the collections belong to the people of Alberta. This is not an anonymous collection of baseball cards. Alberta's history at stake.

From the history of Alberta's military units, to its artists, to its early settlers, to its First Peoples - artifacts and archival materials relating to all of these areas are preserved at the Glenbow. It is staff research, knowledge and care that brings our history alive and gives meaning to our culture and heritage for thousands of museum visitors every year. The services Glenbow staff provide to the public are the exhibitions themselves, a range of public programs, loans to communities, community outreach, responding to reference inquiries, and collaboration with First Nations people, to name but a few.

Management at the Glenbow claims that the current financial difficulties are a "short-term" problem. However, a quick review of recent history demonstrates chronic financial challenges at the Glenbow. While the annual revenue for the Glenbow is derived from many sources, a major source exists in the provincial government's legislated responsibility for the collections. It began in 1966 when Eric Harvie donated his collection to the province on the understanding that it would be cared for in perpetuity. But, over the last two decades, the provincial government has consistently broken that trust.

In 1983 the provincial government froze its annual funding to the Glenbow at $3.51 million eliminating the annual 10 per cent increase that was to account for inflation. The result was a proposal to lay off 26 employees. Eventually, it was private donations that saved many of those jobs. In 1993 a 26 per cent drop in provincial funding forced the layoff of 31 employees and 11 employees reduced to part time status. This time no private funding emerged to bail-out the museum. As an example of the breach of trust created by these layoffs, the Conservation department (which is in charge of restoring and stabilizing damaged or deteriorating artifacts) was reduced from 10 staff to 3.

In 1996, the Glenbow became an independent non-profit institution and contracted with the government for the care of the provincial collections. At that time it was demonstrated that the basic care of the collection cost more than the value of the provincial contract. Today, the provincial government only gives $2.563 million towards the care of the collection - $1 million less than in 1983! The funding shortfall has compounded over the years. In 2000 four of the five library staff were eliminated, and half of the Military History staff in 2001. The Museum is at the point now where further cuts to staff will seriously endanger the care of the collections and limit attempts to increase public interest in the museum as exhibit preparation and community outreach are compromised. The heritage collections and staff knowledge base at Glenbow are a provincial resource. We think it is time the provincial government recognized it.

We know that there are a number of important competing claims for provincial funding today. Support for health care, education, transportation, community services, clean water and safe communities are essential to us all. Let's not pit one against the other. So, here's a novel idea for the province. Why does the provincial government not access the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund to preserve Alberta's heritage? The Heritage Fund currently stands at $12.46 billion. $1 million to save one of Canada's finest cultural institutions is a drop in the bucket. This is an investment in our past, but also in our future. Culture and tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the province, and currently our fourth largest. Open the coffers and support Glenbow and other heritage institutions around the province. Avert the current crisis at the Glenbow and keep Alberta's history alive.

Sincerely,

The executive of CUPE Local 1645, employees of the Glenbow Museum.