A union representing staff at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is hoping to find ways to save money without impacting employees as the federal government cuts back on spending.
The operating budget for the national museum located in Winnipeg has been trimmed by a total of $3.2 million over the next three years, according to a statement from the museum.
This reduction is part of a broader 15 percent savings goal set by the Department of Canadian Heritage, announced alongside significant civil service cuts in the most recent federal budget.
The cut will take effect on April 1, as noted in the museum’s statement. However, it wasn’t immediately clear how this would affect day-to-day operations.
“Any time we hear of budget cuts, it’s extremely concerning and very alarming,” said Marianne Hladun, regional executive vice-president for the Prairies for the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents 110 workers at the museum.
The museum’s CEO, Isha Khan, was unavailable for an interview Tuesday but stated in a prepared message that while “financial adjustments present challenges,” they will keep fulfilling their mandate.
When asked if these budget cuts would lead to layoffs, a spokesperson mentioned they didn’t have that information yet.
“We have been working through the detailed impacts of these reductions in the spirit of ensuring we can continue meeting the needs of Canadians in efficient and impactful ways,” Khan said in her statement.
The workers represented by PSAC handle tasks like tours, security, curation, and research, according to Hladun.
She also pointed out that many civil service employees across Canada are facing similar uncertainty about job security. This adds stress for those workers since reductions across federal departments will unfold over three years, Hladun explained.
As reported by Statistics Canada, there were 13,235 federal government employees in Manitoba as of 2025-excluding members of organizations like RCMP or Canadian Armed Forces.
“There’s a human impact [to] this,” Hladun remarked. “You don’t know if you’re going to be affected. You don’t know if you’re going to have a job.”
“That affects your decisions … not to buy a new car, not to buy a new house, not to invest in an education,” she added.
“It really throws employees’ personal lives into absolute chaos and panic.”
Other museums across Canada are also likely feeling these federal cuts’ effects.
In Ottawa , both The Canadian Museum Of History And The Canadian War Museum Will Cut Permanent Staff Levels By 18 Percent Over The Next Three Years.
The Canadian Museums Association Issued A Statement In November When The Federal Budget Was Released , Indicating That Museums Serve As “Anchors” For Community Engagement By Protecting And Highlighting Canada’s Stories Through Diverse Perspectives , Lived Experiences , And Cultural Expressions.
“By Supporting Museums , Canada Invests In Spaces Where Truth , Reconciliation , Creativity , And Community Come Together To Shape An Inclusive National Identity For Generations To Come ,” The Statement Read.
Regarding Employees At The Canadian Museum For Human Rights , Hladun Expresses Hope That The Institution Will Be Transparent While Dealing With These Budget Cuts.
“It Truly Has Become A Place That Is Celebrated , And To See Them Have Less Than A Stellar Reputation Because Of Budget Cuts Would Be Very Sad ,” She Said.
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