Some Nova Scotia museums and visitor information centres are closing for good

CITYnews halifax/ By Mark Hodgins

The provincial government is shutting down three museums and closing most of Nova Scotia’s visitor information centres, saying it needs to change with the way people travel.

Tourism Nova Scotia says it informed staff at Prescott House, the Fisherman’s Life Museum and Sutherland Steam Mill that the museums will be closing permanently.

“These are difficult decisions, and we recognize the impact on employees and their families,” the department said in a statement. “We’re grateful for their service and the care they’ve shown in sharing the stories that reflect our province.”

The department says its museum system has grown complex and difficult to maintain with 28 sites in total, and the changes will ensure the system is sustainable.

On the same day, government announced it is closing Visitor Information Centres in Yarmouth, Port Hastings, Peggy’s Cove and the Halifax airport and the centre near the New Brunswick border will now operate from May to October instead of year-round.

Tourism Nova Scotia said the changes reflect a change in the way people travel, with trips being planned online.

“We will continue to invest in digital tools, strategic marketing and industry partnerships that connect visitors to experiences across the province,” the department wrote. “This includes support for more than 40 community visitor information centres that provide advice and local recommendations, encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more.”

But the closures are being condemned by the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, which says rural Nova Scotia will now have fewer well-paying jobs.

“This has become an all too familiar situation in Nova Scotia. Governments make big spending commitments favoured by corporations, they reduce revenue through tax cuts, and then when it comes time to be held accountable, it’s the workers who are left to pay the price,” said Sandra Mullen, President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union.”These layoffs come after the Finance Minister reassured workers that front line jobs would not be cut.”

The official opposition laid blame for the layoffs at the feet of the province’s fiscal management.

“This is a government that came into office with a balanced budget. Now they’re asking Nova Scotians to sacrifice because of their spending choices,” said NDP leader Claudia Chender. “It’s not the fault of the communities losing services or the people whose jobs have been eliminated that the province is in this financial situation.”