Objectives and Results -- Financial and Operational Viability

In light of a continuing climate of government fiscal restraint, and the announcement in February 1995 of major budget reductions, the Corporation increased its efforts to ensure financial viability, and to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations.

Objective

To continue to assure the financial and operational viability of the Corporation.

Results

Initial discussions of the need for multi-year funding were delayed, due to the recent programme review process. This option will be pursued in 1995-96;
Custody transfer of the Corporation's facilities from Public Works and Government Services was concluded during 1994-95, with an effective date of April 1, 1994;
Actions including a moratorium on acquisitions; reduced developmental research; better techniques and innovative practices in collections management; fewer temporary exhibitions and longer periods of display; reduced levels of public programming and the introduction of fees; greater use of electronic formats in publishing; use of video- conferencing, rather than travel; reduced costs for the Board of Trustees, etc., resulted in leaner and more focused operations at the CMC and the CWM;
Through a combination of early retirements incentives, a voluntary departure programme and lay-offs, the Corporation reduced its forecast salary budget for 1995-96 by 12%. A total of 17 indeterminate employees accepted early retirement; 28 indeterminate employees took advantage of the voluntary departure programme;
Operating budgets were reviewed and reduced by 16%;
Major reductions were implemented in facilities management, due to the merging of the CMCC and Public Works and Government Services tenant services programmes following custody transfer;
All major revenue-generating contracts were renegotiated (e.g., food services, parking and TicketMaster);
The Friends of the Canadian War Museum began a fundraising campaign with the objective of raising up to $7,000,000 to construct a new wing for the CWM facility at 330 Sussex Drive. The focal point of the new wing will be a Memorial Theatre and Education Outreach Centre;
A sponsor was found for the Railway Station in the Canada Hall. The St. Onuphrius Ukrainian Catholic Church was acquired through donation by its Alberta parish. Sponsors for other exhibitions are being actively pursued;
Total revenues for the Corporation showed an increase of 5% as compared to 1993-94;
A new membership programme for the CMC was launched in September 1994. As of March 1995, 432 memberships had been sold, for a total of 1,095 members;
Evaluations, visitor studies and questionnaires were conducted to assess the effectiveness of exhibitions and programmes, and how they were received by our clients. This was done in order to get visitors' input to help plan better exhibitions and programmes. The following projects were undertaken throughout the Corporation;

Front-end evaluation of the exhibition, Hold On To Your Hats;
Evaluation of new orientation and exhibit signage in the Canada Hall;
Front-end evaluation of the exhibition Your Post Office -- Not So Long Ago;
Evaluation of the Cinémathèque programme;
Evaluation of Open Storage Display;
Evaluation of the exhibition Cradle to Grave;
Evaluation of the Travelling Exhibitions Programme;
Comparative study of visitors to CINÉPLUS and to the Museum;
Front-end evaluation of an exhibition on Palaeo-Inuit Art;
Front-end evaluation of the exhibition Living in Canada in the Time of Champlain (two studies);
Evaluation of Canadian War Museum Public Programmes and Services;
Survey of visitor exhibition preferences;
Survey of visitor interests in the National Postal Museum (two studies);
Evaluation of the International Symposium on Live Interpretation;
Comparative study of International Museum Security Programmes;
Comparative study of visitor attitudes towards four proposed exhibitions;

Internal audits of the following entities were completed:

Canadian War Museum Administration;
Security and Protection Services;
Staff Training and Development;
Informatics Management;

At the request of the Corporation's Board of Trustees, and as required by the Financial Administration Act, the Office of the Auditor General conducted a special examination of the Corporation.

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