Museum prepares to add PST to admission, memberships

With a six per cent price increase coming to many different attractions on Saturday, thanks to changes in Saskatchewan’s provincial sales tax, the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon is readying itself for a markup on admission and membership prices.

Western Development Museum CEO Joan Kanigan said the increase is “just one of those things.

“It’s certainly going to come with all the pressures of inflation anyways, and we’re just working on ways to be as accessible as possible to our communities.”

The increase is only supposed to impact admission and membership prices, Kanigan said. The current price of admission for an adult will rise from $12 to $12.69 on Saturday.

Admission and membership prices are already subject to a GST charge.

“It will be an increase for our visitors, but it’s what we’ll have to do,” Kanigan said.

The CEO said the museum is working to try to sponsor more admissions and to expand its community outreach.

“Given the way inflation is going, it will likely or could potentially have an impact on visitation,” Kanigan said. “We’re hoping the impact will be minimal.”

The CEO said the museum is fortunate to work with the Bank of Montreal, which sponsors some free admission days during the year, allowing visitors in on those select days at no charge.

The next free admission day is set for May 2023.

“We are looking at ways of reducing impact and ensuring that the museum stays accessible to everyone in our communities,” Kanigan said.

She also pointed out that educational, curriculum-based programs aren’t impacted, as they are exempt from PST and GST by virtue of being school programs.

Kanigan said she feels the government imposing the tax is a decision it thinks is necessary to manage the economy.

“They’re looking at these taxes across the board. It’s not just us; a lot of other entertainment and tourism organizations are being impacted as well,” Kanigan explained.

Despite the price increase, Kanigan said the museum is an amazing – and affordable – place for people to connect with their personal histories and the history of the province. Parents, kids and grandparents can explore exhibits together and foster a sense of Saskatchewan pride, she said.

“It’s an affordable family opportunity,” Kanigan said.

The CEO said a new exhibit will be opening on Oct. 12 at the museum, as the result of a partnership with Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

Kanigan said it will give guests a glimpse into the First Nation community’s history and its shared history with the museum.