FUNDING ISSUES
By all accounts, funding for
the DSP is not adequate to maintain the service as it stands now.
The Task Group has recently learned that the loss of the subsidy for
book rate has created a serious deficit for the current year and a
projected deficit for the coming year which may further jeopardize
a portion of the program. Even without this major challenge, the
program continues to face the problems of inflexibility in the funding
formula and an inability to meet current demand with existing resource levels.
Loss of book rate subsidy
The loss of the book rate is expected to increase
postage costs by $450,000 in 1990-91. Requests for supplementary
funding to offset this increase, we have been advised, have not been
approved by Treasury Board. If alternate delivery methods are not found, it appears that service will have to be reduced to the detriment of access.
Need for flexibility in funding
Variable publishing schedules, especially with Parliamentary
papers which depend on the length of sittings of Parliament, have an
impact on the volume of publications to be distributed in any given year.
Information contained in Parliamentary papers such as, Hansard, Committee
proceedings and reports is essential, yet the numbers are unpredictable.
The volume of Parliamentary publishing is beyond the control of the DSP
administration and creates serious difficulties because the DSP has had
its funding capped for the past three years. Prior to 1987, the program
had access to supplementary estimates. We are also informed that CGPC
has cross-subsidized the DSP in the past and that in future this will not be
possible with its new Special Operating Agency status.
In addition, there is a similar cross-subsidization problem
for Statistics Canada. This problem is particularly acute in years when
Census publications are available.
Funding for enhanced access
The principle of access is firmly established as government policy in
Chapter 480 (Communications) of Treasury Board's Administrative Policy Manual.
For the federal government to demonstrate its commitment to this principle, it must
be prepared to fund the program adequately. Several options for an improved
documentation and delivery process have been explored. Even with the
enhancements contained in these options, the DSP will continue to be cost-effective
for all players. A minor upgrading of the DSP's resources will ensure the continuation
of a low-cost and friendly information access program.
Recommendation
- (24)The DSP should seek additional funding for enhanced access including a funding formula that will be sufficiently flexible to take into account fluctuations in the volume of depository publications.
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