New Advertising Services Legislation Tabled
OTTAWA, October 8, 1998 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today tabled the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act in the House of Commons.The proposed legislation ensures that Canadian magazine publishers have access to advertising revenues in Canada. Under the Act, only Canadian periodical publishers will be able to sell advertising services aimed primarily at the Canadian market to Canadian advertisers.
"This legislation gives Canadian publishers access to advertising services dollars spent in Canada. Canadian publishers use that money to produce original Canadian stories for and about Canadians," said Minister Copps. "We must insist upon our own cultural space Ñ where we can express our ideas, our values and identity. This Act is consistent with Canada's longstanding cultural policies and respects our international trade obligations."
The new legislation outlines investigative powers and procedures and provides for fines for foreign publishers who break our law.
Under the Act, foreign publishers currently selling advertising services directed at the Canadian market will be able to maintain their current levels of activity. As for Canadian advertisers, they will have exactly the same opportunities to advertise as they have always had.
"We are not blocking foreign magazines from entering Canada. On the contrary, Canada will continue to have one of the most open markets in the world for foreign publications. More than 80 per cent of magazines sold at Canadian newsstands are foreign, most from the United States," said Minister Copps.
Background information is available upon request and on the Department of Canadian Heritage Internet site: http://www.pch.gc.ca/wn-qdn/culture/english.htm
Information:
Jacques Lefebvre
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER
Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act
The main provisions of the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act are:
Only Canadian periodical publishers will be able to sell advertising services that are aimed primarily at the Canadian market to Canadian advertisers.
The Act will not affect foreign publishers who now supply advertising services directed at the Canadian market. These foreign publishers will be able to maintain existing operations in Canada.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage may require a foreign publisher to show cause that it is not in contravention of the Act or seek a court-ordered injunction to stop offending activity.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage has the authority to initiate an investigation based on a complaint and can appoint investigators with a mandate to obtain relevant documents.
Failure to comply with Canadian law could result in fines for individuals of up to $100,000 and, for foreign corporations of up to $250,000, per infraction. The level of these fines is comparable to those provided under other federal statutes.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage will have the authority to introduce regulations to guide the administration and enforcement of the Act, after it receives Royal Assent.
Information:
Don Stephenson
Director General Cultural Industries
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-4455
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