Minister Copps Announces Additional Aid For Ethnocultural, Official-language Minority, and Aboriginal Community Newspapers and Periodicals
OTTAWA, June 27, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced that changes will be introduced to the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) and the Canada Magazine Fund (CMF). The aim is to facilitate access to the programs for approximately 250 new ethnocultural, official-language minority, and Aboriginal community newspapers and periodicals. More than $4 million will be re-allocated for this purpose."The Government of Canada's support for our country's weeklies and other community newspapers goes back more than 150 years, and helps to deliver 215 million copies of 1200 publications across Canada," said Minister Copps. "I am pleased to announce these changes, which strengthen our commitment and highlight how weeklies and magazines play an important part in Canada's multicultural mosaic by offering diversity of content to their readers and by forging links between our different communities."
The changes to the PAP mainly concern eligibility. The new criteria being introduced will make the program accessible to approximately 100 additional community newspapers, including French-language newspapers, and approximately 150 ethnocultural, minority official-language, and Aboriginal periodicals.
Further, the CMF will offer increased funding for cultural and literary magazines, and will focus on supporting efforts undertaken for training, professional development, and business development of ethnocultural, minority official-language, and Aboriginal community magazines and publications.
The changes will be implemented in several phases, starting in early July and ending in late October.
For more information on the PAP and changes to the program, visit the Canadian Heritage Web site at http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Ethnocultural Publications in Canada
Ethnocultural publications provide a crucial link between Canada's diverse communities, as well as providing them with information about Canadian society. Primarily targeted to a commonly recognized linguistic, cultural or racially distinct group, ethnocultural publications may be in English, French, a third language or a combination of languages. The government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program, will re-allocate $1 million to support the distribution of ethnocultural publications to Canadian readers.
Ethnocultural Publications Connect Canada's Diverse Communities
There are 300 ethnocultural publications in Canada.
The volume and variety of ethnocultural publications in Canada is an indication of our rich multicultural heritage.
Three million Canadians speak a home language other than English or French.
Ethnocultural publications can be published in any language, or in a combination of languages such as English or French, as well as a third language, to ensure readership of:
new Canadians from specific linguistic communities;
broad communities such the Afro-Carribean or South Asian communities; and
different generations of an ethnocultural community that may have been schooled abroad or in Canada.
Ethnocultural Publications are a Vital Information Source
New and established Canadians read ethnocultural publications to maintain a sense of connectedness with both their heritage and their home.
The content of ethnocultural periodicals in Canada is varied. One study found that on average:
75-80% of content is split between highlighting information about the community in Canada, and information about Canada or their culture of origin.
20-25% of the content dealt with citizenship issues and integration-oriented content.
Ethnocultural Periodicals in Canada Face Several Challenges
Changing demographics demand a flexible business approach as the community and its needs mature.
Periodicals operate in a highly competitive market.
Professional development: Periodicals must undertake training, professional development and succession planning to ensure that a new generation of Canadians continues to serve ethnocultural communities. Community Newspapers in Canada
Community newspapers are periodicals that are published on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. They are important local communications vehicles, containing editorial content specific to a particular geographical community. Community newspapers are able to maintain financial viability through the support of local advertisers and interest of local readers. The Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program, will re-allocate $3 million to support the distribution of small community newspapers to Canadian readers.
Community Newspapers Deliver the News to Rural Canadians
There are 1,061 community newspapers in Canada.
Readers in small rural communities are more likely to get their news from community newspapers than from daily newspapers.
Community newspapers reach 11 million Canadians per week.
More than 58% of Canadians adults over 18 years of age read a community newspaper every week.
Community Newspapers Create Employment
An estimated 19 000 full-time equivalent jobs are provided by the community newspaper industry.
Community Newspapers Stimulate the Local Economy
Community newspapers earned $820 million in advertising revenues in 2001.
$710 in local advertising
$110 million from national advertising accounts
Advertising rates for community newspapers are significantly lower than daily newspapers, allowing small local businesses to reach clients in their immediate area.
Challenges and Trends
The trend towards city amalgamations has led to the amalgamation of community newspapers.
Many small community newspapers depend on the mail for distribution, and postal rate increases are exceeding the rate of inflation.
Community newspapers must compete with Canada Post and daily newspapers for retail flyer distribution, one of the most lucrative forms of advertising revenues.
Community newspapers must be more competitive advertising vehicles. Creating a shared database will allow for better understanding of magazine readership, and better targeting of advertising campaigns.
Sources:
Snapshot 2002 (CCNA)
A Profile of Canadian Community Newspapers : Executive Report (Kubas Consultants, February 2002)
Publications Assistance Program: Community Newspaper Profile (Rural Development Institute, Brandon University November 15, 2002)
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