I rise in this Honourable House today to inform members of the Provincial Government�s increased efforts to preserve and promote our heritage resources by increasing professional capacity within the heritage sector.

As you know, Budget 2009 provides an additional $150,000 to the heritage component of the Cultural Economic Development Program � or CEDP as it is commonly known � bringing the total annual budget for heritage-related project funding and professional development to $1.3 million.

This funding will be used to enhance professional capacity at our community-based, not-for-profit local museums and historic sites, and provide the opportunity for many of our provincial heritage organizations to hire professional staff or offer professional development opportunities to volunteers.

We want to help those working and volunteering within community museums throughout the province to be trained in best practices. We want to provide staff with the skills to ensure artifacts are stored appropriately, handled appropriately, and displayed appropriately. We also want to provide staff with the ability to identify good fundraising opportunities; develop innovative ways to present our heritage resources to the public, and find meaningful ways in which to engage the public and encourage them to learn more about our provincial heritage.

We expect these efforts will help community-based heritage organizations address some of the challenges of a declining volunteer base, and to ensure museums and historic sites can continue to meet the expectations of visitors.

I note also that Budget 2009 provides $65,000, through the Healthy Aging Strategy, to encourage more seniors� involvement in museums, archives and heritage attractions. This too is designed to address the declining volunteer base in many community-based heritage operations.

Since launching our cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007, the Provincial Government has invested more than $25 million in new funding to strengthen and develop new opportunities within our arts, cultural and heritage sectors.

The Provincial Government remains committed to the goals articulated in the strategy and, together with our partners within arts, culture and heritage communities, we continue to make significant strides towards implementing this plan and realizing its objectives.

I invite all the members of this House to join with me to acknowledge the importance our provincial heritage organizations and the volunteers and professional staff who dedicate their time and effort to preserving and celebrating our heritage.

2009 05 05                                                  1:55 p.m.