Thursday, November 22, 2012

CAUT Launches Canada’s Past Matters Campaign

For immediate release

(Ottawa: November 22, 2012) The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has unveiled a national campaign exposing the threats to Canada’s cultural institutions and historic sites and proposing what must be done to reverse the damage.

The “Canada’s Past Matters” campaign will highlight how federal funding cuts and policy changes are putting the survival of libraries, archives, museums and historical sites across the country at risk.

“Our ability as Canadians to know, understand and appreciate our past is at stake because of the federal government’s short-sighted cuts and ill-advised changes to historical programs and services,” CAUT executive director James L. Turk said at a news conference in Ottawa today.

“We’ve launched this campaign because the changes we’re seeing affect not just our members, but all Canadians in very damaging ways,” added Turk. “We cannot chart our future properly unless we know and understand our past. Until government policy is changed, that will be less and less possible for our children and future generations.”

Turk said the five aspects of the campaign are:

Save Library & Archives Canada The federal institution responsible for preserving Canada’s history and cultural heritage is seriously threatened by major budget cuts, service reductions, and a narrowing of its mandate.

Preserve Canada’s Historical Sites A $29 million reduction in the budget for Parks Canada is threatening the future of Canada’s 167 historic and archaeological sites.

Protect Canada’s Public Libraries The inter-library loan program between Library & Archives Canada and regional public libraries is being eliminated along with public internet access in local libraries, making it more difficult for Canadians to access information and knowledge.

Restore Canada’s Local Archives The elimination of the National Archival Development Program has put at risk regional archives and their projects across Canada.

Retain the Canadian Museum of Civilization The government plans to end Canada’s largest and most popular museum – the only museum committed to promoting knowledge and critical understanding of, and appreciation and respect for, human cultural achievements and human behaviour.

For more information about the “Canada’s Past Matters” campaign, visit www.canadaspastmatters.ca


The Canadian Association of University Teachers is the national voice of more than 68,000 academic and general staff at 120 universities and colleges across the country.

You may contact Angela Regnier, Communications Officer at 613.726.5186 (o) or 613-601-6304 (cell), or by email at  regnier@caut.ca

Canadian Premiere at the Morrin Centre, Quebec City

On Sunday, November 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the Morrin Centre, 44, Chaussée des Écossais, Quebec City, the centre will host the Canadian premiere of the documentary “From the Morrin with Love: Canadian Premiere of Everything or Nothing ”. Hilary Saltzman, daughter of the Canadian producer who helped bring Ian Fleming’s secret agent to the silver screen, will answer questions afterwards.

In addition, they will be giving away two pairs of tickets to the movie Skyfall, the 23rd in the James Bond series, showing at the IMAX theatre in Quebec City.

Many more James Bond related surprises await you at this premiere.

The fee is $10.00 per person,and the seats are limited, so reserve yours today!

For more information or to reserve your tickets, visit www.morrin.org, or call 418.694.9147.

The fall season continues to offer a huge selection of activities at the Morrin Centre. Upcoming events include a talk on a love affair that could have changed the course of our city’s history, a presentation on preserving family history through scrapbooking, and a series of interactive readings for children.

To learn more about the inspiration for James Bond, here are two sites which may interest you -

Inspirations for James Bond http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspirations_for_James_Bond

Harry the Spy: The Secret Pre-History of a James Bond Producer www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/09/harry-saltzman-bond-secret-spy-life#slide=1 The story of Harry Saltzman and the James Bond movies.