QUESTION PERIOD — Canadian Heritage
Media Support
February 28, 2024
Senator Gold, considering the important role local, regional and ethnic papers play in our communities, does the government not agree that it would be beneficial to increase its advertising investments in print media? Last month, the government published its 2022-23 annual report on the Government of Canada’s advertising activities, and we learned that the government spent over $86 million on advertising. Of the $67 million expenditures made by the Agency of Record, under $1 million went to traditional print media.
As you know, Canada’s press is in crisis, and we need to find immediate solutions to ensure its survival. Surely, everyone would agree that having a strong, independent and fair press is fundamental for any democracy.
Thank you for your question. Yes, I hope that everyone agrees with your last point; the Government of Canada certainly does.
Colleagues, I cannot comment on what additional expenditures might be made by the government in its discretion or indeed within a budgetary framework that we anticipate in the weeks and months to come, but this government will continue to support local journalism and quality journalism in many different ways, as it has done, not only with the Online News Act, for example, but with a range of programs including the Canadian Periodical Fund and the recently boosted Canadian journalism labour tax credit.
Thank you for your answer.
I understand why the government is prioritizing digital media over traditional media, but don’t you think that a government ad‑buying policy is a good idea?
Would you be open to giving businesses an additional tax credit for the money they spend with local media?
Last week, the Confédération des syndicats nationaux reminded us that Quebec’s news media has lost 75% of its ad revenue over the past 10 years.
Thank you for the question. I am not aware of any plan to create a tax credit. However, after a decade of reduced access to news for Canadians and the closure of over 500 newsrooms, this government has taken meaningful action to ensure the sustainability of our media ecosystem and will continue to do more.
