UCP Government Eliminates Funding for Historical Societies

In a devastating blow to our province’s vital heritage sector, Tanya Fir, the Minister of Arts and Culture stripped three of the most important provincial heritage organizations (PHO) of their funding.

On February 26, the Historical Society of Alberta, Archaeological Society of Alberta and the Alberta Genealogical Society were blindsided when they learned their annual funding was left out of the UCP government's freshly tabled budget.

This heartless move to save their multi-billion dollar budget less than $120,000 is a glaring example of how inept the UCP government is with our finances. Danielle Smith squandered the boom during the boom and then silently took aim at hard-working, volunteer driven organizations in the hope no one will notice.

This funding supported publications, micro grants to local heritage groups, heritage fairs, and the work of thousands of volunteer hours in regional chapters across Alberta.

This decision sends a troubling message: that Alberta’s history is expendable. It is not acceptable that our children, grandchildren, and so on will lose this vital educational opportunity to learn from these important stories.

If we lose this knowledge, we're all worse off as a society.

I read a members’ statement on this horrible decision and I tabled dozens of letters in the legislature from Albertans outraged at this short-sighted, disrespectful and callous move by the minister.

I urge anyone who cares about Alberta’s history and wants to see it preserved and shared for generations to come, to keep the pressure on the UCP government to restore this modest amount of funding to these Provincial Heritage Organizations, and reaffirm that preserving our past is essential to building a strong, inclusive future for our province. You can email the minister’s office at [email protected]

I dropped by Six Degrees Music & Sound in Calgary recently to check out their awesome digs.

Artists and Venues Can’t Survive on “Stay Tuned”

After months of delays, Minister Fir finally announced during a budget committee meeting on March 11 that Alberta’s Music Action Plan will finally arrive “this spring”.

While that sounds like a step forward, and while no details of the government’s plan were revealed at the meeting, the minister did say, “The focus on the action plan is not on new spending.”

So, just like in October when I asked Minister Fir if she had any updates, we are still in “stay tuned” mode. Well, artists and venues can’t live on “stay tuned.”

Spring can’t come soon enough for Alberta’s music industry.

If the UCP government is serious about supporting Alberta’s music scene, the sector has been clear that for Alberta’s music action plan to succeed:

🎵 A Music Commission must operate at arm’s length from government.

An independent, empowered body is essential if we want real advocacy, strategic action, and long-term stability, not just another title without authority or resources.

🎵 The sector must have a voice.

Alberta’s music venues, nonprofits, artists, promoters, and industry leaders have deep knowledge of what’s working, what’s missing, and what policy changes could make the biggest impact. Any Commissioner must be selected with meaningful input from the music community and chosen through a provincewide search for the right person, not an appointment made in isolation.

🎵 Calgary is the obvious home base.

Calgary is Alberta’s Music City: home to the National Music Centre, Music Mile, diverse venues, numerous festivals, and a growing industry ecosystem. Placing the Commission where the infrastructure already exists just makes sense.

🎵 We need a real focus on rebuilding the venue ladder.

From small stages to midsize rooms to major venues, the entire venue pipeline is essential to developing artists, retaining talent, and ensuring that Alberta remains competitive nationally and internationally. A Music Commissioner must prioritize strengthening this ladder at every rung.

And of course, all of this requires actual resources not symbolic gestures. We’ve seen what’s possible in film and television when the province invests strategically in people, expertise, and infrastructure. Music deserves that same level of financial commitment but with “no new spending” how can the UCP government say they are truly supportive of Alberta’s music sector?

Calgarians Bring Home Junos

Congratulations to all the wonderfully talented musicians who were nominated for Canada’s biggest music prize.

I want to amplify the celebration of two artists from Calgary who were honoured with Junos at the awards ceremony on Sunday, March 29 in Hamilton.

Tate McRae took home four trophies winning album of the year, artist of the year, single of the year and pop album of the year.

And Mariel Buckley won contemporary roots album of the year for Strange Trip Ahead.

Thank you to all of the folks who met with me in preparation for the budget estimates process.

As always, please reach to my office with any questions, concerns or invitations to events.

Yours in creativity,
Joe