In light of recent news about federal cutbacks implicating history-focused organizations, CHA president Colin Coates has sent a letter to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, the Hon. Marc Miller. The letter can be read here.
Update: On March 18, 2026, Colin Coates received the following reply from Minister Miller’s office:
Dear Mr. Coates:
I am writing in response to your correspondence of February 12, 2026, addressed to the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, regarding reductions in funding for federal organizations that promote and preserve Canadian history. Minister Miller appreciates your taking the time to write on this matter.
The Government of Canada recognizes the vital role these organizations play in preserving Canada’s documentary heritage and collections, and in providing access to knowledge about Canadian history.
Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Canadian War Museum operate at arm’s length from the Government and are therefore responsible for their own operational decisions, including the implementation measures outlined in Budget 2025. Moving forward, Library and Archives Canada will focus on its core mandate, prioritizing resources to strengthen its service to Canadians. At the Canadian Museum of History, the planned reductions are intended to improve efficiency and provide greater long-term flexibility in fulfilling its mandate. The Museum will continue to advance research, develop world-class exhibitions and public programming, and create innovative ways for Canadians to connect with their history.
Furthermore, I have taken the liberty of forwarding your correspondence to Ms. Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, and Ms. Caroline Dromaguet, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum, so that they are aware of your comments. Should you wish to contact them directly, their contact information is provided below.
Sincerely,
Nathalie Robitaille
A/Director
Ministerial Correspondence Secretariat
Department of Canadian Heritage
Library and Archives Canada
Ms. Leslie Weir
Librarian and Archivist of Canada
550 de la Cité Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec
J8T 0A7
Email: leslie.weir@bac-lac.gc.ca
Website: canada.ca
Canadian Museum of History
Caroline Dromaguet
President and Chief Executive Officer
100 Laurier Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0M8
Email: caroline.dromaguet@historymuseum.ca
Website: historymuseum.ca
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M8
Telephone: 819-776-7000 or 1-800-555-5621
Email: caroline.dromaguet@historymuseum.ca
Website: warmuseum.ca
Update: On May 22, 2026, Colin Coates and Thomas Wien sent the following email to Leslie Weir:
Dear Leslie Weir,
In February, I wrote on behalf of the Canadian Historical Association to Minister Marc Miller about the budget cuts that adversely affect the work of Canadian historians. When his office replied to that letter on 18 March, they also forwarded it to you.
Thomas Wien, president of the Institut d’histoire de l’Amérique française and I now take the opportunity to write to you directly in order to address concerns about the reductions in staffing levels at Library and Archives Canada. These concerns have been expressed in several public meetings, as you are aware. You also know that the community of archivists and historians have protested the elimination of the Documentary Heritage Communities Program. The cuts to the Access to Information Program also provoked a great deal of consternation. Many Canadian historians now find it easier to obtain information about government documents from archives outside the country. We acknowledge your communication of 13 April, informing the sector of a dedicated budget for dealing with Access to Information requests. We agree that this is positive news, as it shows the government’s dedication to maintaining, as you word it, “an open and democratic society.”
Nonetheless, we remain concerned about the other cuts. While budgetary decisions may occur in isolation from each other within the heritage and history sectors, the cumulative effects of such choices at the federal and provincial levels can be devastating. The loss of engagement and morale in both sectors is extremely troubling.
The Minister’s Office explained such decisions as reflecting a need for Library and Archives Canada to “focus on its core mandate.” We would submit it to you that it is possible – and necessary! – to redefine core mandates to consider the broader impact throughout the sector. All this is surely central to the essential national role that the LAC occupies.
We in the Canadian Historical Association and the Institut d’histoire de l’Amérique française hope that (urge?) you use your leverage to convince the ministry to restore funding to the Documentary Heritage Communities and ensure appropriate staffing levels at Library and Archives Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Colin Coates