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Ottawa plans overhaul of periodical subsidies by James Adams

Jan 26, 2008

Source : Globe & Mail

Big changes appear to be in the works for the way the federal government subsidizes both the delivery and the content of Canadian magazines and non-daily newspapers. Canadian Heritage has announced it plans to "redesign" the Publications Assistance Program and the Canada Magazine Fund that currently provide more than $76-million annually to an estimated 1,200 newspapers and magazines. The department has posted a discussion paper at http://www.pch.gc.ca to guide consultations it will have with the public and industry between now and Apr. 25. Canadian Heritage is proposing that the PAP, which supports the delivery of domestic publications, and the CMF, which funds editorial content and business development, be combined into one new program tentatively called the Canada Periodical Fund. No budget is given for the new fund but the discussion paper indicates a sizable portion would be used to "position programs to support transitions to digital technology" and online service.

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