Alberta gives transition funding to 119-year-old historical society after budget cut

Alberta Tourism Minister Andrew Boitchenko in Calgary on May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta’s government is now giving a 119-year-old historical society some transitional funding after the group had been left out of the province’s latest budget.

The government’s February budget was tabled and passed without the $76,000 that had for years been provided to the Historical Society of Alberta.

Society president Lorien Johansen had said at the time that the group wasn’t at risk of folding but questioned why it was the one on the chopping block.

But Johansen now says the government has agreed to provide the society with funding for the next three years to help it transition from government support.

The volunteer-run society, which was founded by Alberta’s first premier in 1907, will receive its usual $76,000 this year before receiving gradual reductions for the two years after that.

Tourism Minister Andrew Boitchenko says the government recognizes the society’s longstanding contributions but reiterated that the funding is only meant to help the organization transition away from provincial funding.

Johansen says the group is grateful and that the funding will ensure the society can continue to preserve and promote Alberta’s history.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press