Uncertainties, tweets, and a cold
Federal
Budget Day in Ottawa: this is the most revealing day following our yearlong
push for museums. Throughout the year, we are meeting MPs, Senators, hosting
our annual Hill Day (where you can participate), and appearing before
Parliamentary Committees, but it all cumulates in the Budget speech.
I always
attend the budget lockup and despite having a very bad cold, off I went along
with our indomitable Audrey Vermette. This was her first time in the lock up. This
is one of those events not to miss, rubbing shoulders with famous journalists,
lobbyists, consultants, politicians, etc.
When we
arrived, there was the usual tension in the air; will we be discovering bad
news, or good news? We arrived with draft statements for both scenarios, which
had to be rewritten after we poured over some 600 pages of documents. We had to
ask skill-testing questions of federal officials who frequently are at evasion.
Our
objective is to report to our members, within an hour of the budget speech. We
also have to do this in both official languages which in itself is a major feat.
Afterwards, we send it out to members by
email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Back in the
days when we had reporters devoted to our sector, I was in the unique position of
being the only voice interviewed, which was a golden opportunity to get our
message out. Today the media is only interested if there is a major story about
cuts; good news is not news!
As soon as Mr.
Flaherty started his budget speech at 4pm, we were back to the CMA office to
finalize our communiqué so you would have the relevant news firsthand within the
hour. The communiqué also goes to politicians. This year we quickly heard back
from James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, with congratulations on our
accurate work. He even sent our message along on his own Twitter feed.
In actuality,
it is his good work we must acknowledge as he once again has been the champion
of our sector which survived the 2013-2014 budget intact. You can read our
analysis of the federal budget, what is new and what news you need to know on
our website at www.museums.ca.
Soon after, I
went back to bed to nurse my cold!
John G. McAvity
Executive Director
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