Canada and United States Sign Agreement on Periodicals
OTTAWA, June 4, 1999 -- The governments of Canada and the United States have signed the formal Agreement ending a long-standing dispute regarding access of foreign periodicals to the Canadian advertising services market.According to the terms of the Agreement, which comes into effect at the time of signing, the United States has agreed not to take any action under the World Trade Organization Agreements, the North American Free Trade Agreement, or section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, in response to Bill C-55.
For its part, Canada has agreed to make certain changes to Bill C-55, the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act, to its foreign investment policy and to the Income Tax Act. All of these changes were explained in the May 26 announcement of the agreement-in-principle.
The United States accepts the terms of the agreement which state that a net benefit review by Canada of new investments in the magazine industry will include "undertakings from foreign investors that result in a substantial level of original editorial content for the Canadian market contained in each periodical title." Canada will use guidelines that call for "a majority of original editorial content for the Canadian market in each issue of each periodical title," in the review of any new investment in the magazine industry.
Information:
Jacques Lefebvre
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788,
Leslie Swartman
Office of the Minister for
International Trade
(613) 992-7332
BACKGROUNDER
CANADIAN CONTENT IN MAGAZINES:
A POLICY ON INVESTMENT IN THE PERIODICAL
PUBLISHING SECTOR
The Investment Canada Act requires that foreign investments in the cultural industries, including the production, distribution and sale of periodicals, be compatible with national cultural policies in addition to being of "net benefit" to Canada.
The Government of Canada is announcing a foreign investment policy for the periodicals publishing sector that will allow investment opportunities in the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals, provided that such investments result in the production of Canadian content in magazines. The following policy statement and investment review guidelines are intended to provide guidance to investors in respect of the application of the Investment Canada Act to the periodical publishing sector.
1 Policy Statement
Canadian Content in Magazines:
A Policy on Investment in the Periodical Publishing Sector
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of ensuring the availability to Canadians of periodicals that are relevant to Canadian life and culture, reflect an identifiably Canadian perspective and meet the information needs of Canadian readers.
The Government of Canada has, therefore, maintained a longstanding cultural policy that has served to enhance the Canadian periodical publishing industry's capacity to produce and distribute domestic periodicals, published by viable Canadian publishers, in all genres and in all regions. This policy framework recognizes the importance of a strong Canadian-owned periodical publishing sector in order to maintain and increase the presence of distinct Canadian periodical titles. This framework also recognizes the relationship between the production of editorial content for the Canadian market and access to revenues from the Canadian advertising services market.
Under the Investment Canada Act, investments in the cultural industries must be of "net benefit" to Canada, including compatibility with Canada's cultural policy objectives.
In this regard, it is the policy of the Government of Canada to ensure a commitment to the production of majority Canadian editorial content in respect of foreign investments in the periodical publishing sector, including investments to establish or, directly or indirectly, acquire foreign businesses to produce and sell periodicals in Canada and to access the Canadian advertising services market. Further, it is the policy of the Government of Canada not to permit foreign acquisitions of Canadian-owned and Canadian-controlled periodical publishing businesses.
II Investment Review Guidelines
Foreign investments with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals are subject to review for net benefit to Canada pursuant to Part IV of the Investment Canada Act, including the investment's compatibility with Canada's cultural policies.
i) Net benefit will include, inter alia, undertakings by foreign investors that result in a majority of original editorial content* for the Canadian market in each issue of each periodical title. The amount of original content for the Canadian market will be determined as a percentage of the total space occupied by the total editorial content contained in the periodical.
Original editorial content means non-advertising content that is:
(a) authored by Canadians, including, but not limited to, writers, journalists, illustrators and photographers; or
(b) created for the Canadian market and does not appear in any other edition of one or more periodicals published outside Canada.
ii) Net benefit may also include undertakings by the foreign investor such as:
--creating an employment infrastructure by directly employing an editorial and support staff composed of persons resident in Canada with respect to the investment and to establish or expand a place of business in Canada.
--supporting the infrastructure in the publishing sector by having their titles edited, typeset and printed in Canada.
III Administrative Guidelines
i) All foreign investments will be reviewed consistent with the Related Business Guidelines of the Investment Canada Act, whereby an investment by a non-Canadian in a periodical title is deemed to be a new Canadian business and is subject to notification under the Act. However, investors may submit a single application under the Investment Canada Act covering one or more periodical titles.
ii) Investors will normally be required to make undertakings in perpetuity. Investors will be required to report quarterly on their performance in relation to their undertakings, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.
*The United States accepts the terms of the agreement which state that a net benefit review by Canada of new investments in the magazine industry will include "undertakings from foreign investors that result in a substantial level of original editorial content for the Canadian market contained in each periodical title." Canada will use guidelines that call for "a majority of original editorial content for the Canadian market in each issue of each periodical title," in the review of any new investment in the magazine industry.
ORIGINAL LETTER SIGNED BY AMBASSADOR RAYMOND CHRÉTIEN
501 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
June 3, 1999
Note No. 0198
The Honourable Charlene Barshefsky
United States Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
Room 209
600 - l7th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20506
Dear Ambassador Barshefsky,
I have the honour to refer to recent discussions with respect to Bill C-55, the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act. In this regard, the United States will take no action under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), or section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, in response to Bill C-55.
Canada will amend the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act to permit foreign-owned publishers of periodicals to bene fit from increased market access with respect to advertising directed primarily at the Canadian market. In addition, Canada will amend its foreign investment policy with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals by issuing foreign investment guidelines for the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals pursuant to section 38 of the Investment Canada Act. The Income Tax Act will also be amended so as to allow advertisers deductions in respect of periodicals irrespective of the nationality of the publisher or place of production. In addition, the allowable deduction will be amended under the Income Tax Act. These initiatives will provide for greater competition in the periodical publishing sector and are expected to ensure the creation of increased opportunity for Canadian cultural expression.
For the purposes of this Agreement, a periodical means a printed publication that appears in consecutively numbered or dated issues, published under a common title, usually at regular intervals, not more than once every week, excluding special issues, and at least twice every year. A periodical does not include a catalogue, a directory, a newsletter or a newspaper. A Canadian means a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Original editorial content means non-advertising content that is: (a) authored by a Canadian, including but not limited to writers, journalists, illustrators and photographers; or (b) created for the Canadian market and does not appear in any other edition of one or more periodicals published outside Canada.
Nothing in this Agreement may be invoked to prejudice either party's arguments regarding the nature of the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act,the Investment Canada Act or the Income Tax Act in the WTO or under the NAFTA.
Canada will amend Bill C-55, prior to it being passed by the Senate of Canada, to exempt from the application of the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act, those foreign-owned publishers whose investments in Canada with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of a periodical have been reviewed and approved under the Investment Canada Act. This exemption will continue unless a court determines by final order that the investor has not complied with the Investment Canada Act. In addition, Canada will allow under licensing arrangements any activity otherwise permitted under this Agreement.
Canada will further amend Bill C-55 to exempt those foreign publishers whose revenues from the sale of advertising primarily directed at the Canadian market represent 12 percent or less of the total revenues from the sale of advertising in an issue of the periodical that contains such advertising in Canada. Within 18 months after Bill C-55 comes into force, this percentage shall be increased to 15 percent, and within 36 months after Bill C-55 comes into force, this percentage shall be increased to 18 percent. The percentage of advertising space containing advertisements directed primarily at the Canadian market in the Canadian issue of the periodical will be deemed to represent the same percentage of advertising revenues earned in Canada by that issue of the periodical. In the event that this percentage is exceeded by the publisher, a demand letter will be issued by the responsible Minister prior to any further enforcement action being taken under the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act.
Canada will amend its foreign investment policy with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals in Canada by issuing foreign investment guidelines for the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals pursuant to section 38 of the Investment Canada Act. Under such guidelines, the establishment and expansion of foreign businesses, and the acquisition, direct or indirect, of existing foreign businesses to publish, distribute and sell periodicals in Canada will be permitted on the condition that such investments are of net benefit to Canada.
Effective 90 days after the entry into force of this Agreement, and subject to net benefit review under the Investment Canada Act, Canada will permit up to and including 51 percent foreign ownership in the establishment and acquisition of businesses to publish, distribute and sell periodicals except for the acquisition of Canadian-owned businesses.
Effective one year after the entry into force of this Agreement, and subject to net benefit review under the Investment Canada Act, Canada will permit up to and including 100 percent foreign ownership in the establishment and acquisition of businesses to publish, distribute and sell periodicals except for the acquisition of Canadian-owned businesses.
Partnerships of foreign investors with majority Canadian ownership will be permitted.
Foreign investments with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of a periodical are subject to review for net benefit to Canada pursuant to Part IV of the Investment Canada Act, including the investment's compatibility with Canada's cultural policy. In its net benefits review of an investment under Part IV of the Investment Canada Act, Canada will consider a combination of undertakings as compatible with Canadian cultural policy.
Net benefits review will include undertakings from foreign investors that result in a substantial level of original editorial content for the Canadian market contained in each periodical title. The amount of original editorial content for the Canadian market will be determined as a percentage of the total space occupied by the total editorial content contained in the periodical.
Net benefits review may also include undertakings by the foreign investor that:
i) create an employment infrastructure by directly employing an editorial staff and support staff composed of people resident in Canada with respect to each periodical title in Canada and establish or expand a place of business in Canada; or
ii) support the infrastructure in the publishing sector by having their titles edited, typeset and printed in Canada.
Under the Investment Canada Act and the Related Business Guidelines, an investment by a non-Canadian in a periodical title is deemed to be a new Canadian business and is subject to notification and review under the Act. Investors may submit a single application under the Investment Canada Act covering one or more titles concerning the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals. Investors will be required to report quarterly on their performance in relation to their undertakings, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Within one year of the entry into force of this Agreement, Canada will amend section 19 of the Income Tax Act so as to allow advertisers deductions in respect of periodicals containing the requisite levels of original editorial content irrespective of the nationality of the publisher or place of production.
Canada will also amend the definition of "Canadian issue" in section 19(5) of the Income Tax Act to conform with the definition of original editorial content as set forth in this Agreement. Canada will further amend the definition of "Canadian issue" in section 19(5) to remove exclusions on issues of a periodical published under a licence granted by a person who produces or publishes issues of a periodical that are printed, edited or published outside Canada.
Canada will further amend the Income Tax Act to modify the amount of the allowable deduction and original editorial content requirement to permit: a) half the deduction of advertising costs for advertisers in publications with zero to 79 percent original editorial content; and b) a full deduction of advertising costs for advertisers in publications with 80 percent or more original editorial content.
Canada and the United States agree to consult annually upon request within 20 days on any matter relating to this Agreement.
If either party considers that the other party is not in compliance with this Agreement, that party may withdraw from the Agreement by written notification to the other party. The Agreement shall become null and void 90 days after such notification and, at that time, the parties' respective rights and obligations will return to those that existed immediately prior to the entry into force of this Agreement.
I have the honour to propose that if the proposal contained in this letter is ac ceptable to the Government of the United States of America, this letter, in the English and French languages, each text being equally authentic, and your reply to that effect, shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments, which shall enter into force on the date of your reply.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Original letter signed by
Raymond Chrétien
Ambassador)
ORIGINAL LETTER SIGNED BY THE HONORABLE CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
His Excellency Raymond Chrétien
Ambassador of Canada
501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20001
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
I have the honor to confirm receipt of your letter dated June 3, 1999, outlining a proposal concerning Bill C-55 which reads as follows:
"I have the honour to refer to recent discussions with respect to Bill C-55, the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act. In this regard, the United States will take no action under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), or section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, in response to Bill C-55.
Canada will amend the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act to permit foreign-owned publishers of periodicals to bene fit from increased market access with respect to advertising directed primarily at the Canadian market. In addition, Canada will amend its foreign investment policy with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals by issuing foreign investment guidelines for the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals pursuant to section 38 of the Investment Canada Act. The Income Tax Act will also be amended so as to allow advertisers deductions in respect of periodicals irrespective of the nationality of the publisher or place of production. In addition, the allowable deduction will be amended under the Income Tax Act. These initiatives will provide for greater competition in the periodical publishing sector and are expected to ensure the creation of increased opportunity for Canadian cultural expression.
For the purposes of this Agreement, a periodical means a printed publication that appears in consecutively numbered or dated issues, published under a common title, usually at regular intervals, not more than once every week, excluding special issues, and at least twice every year. A periodical does not include a catalogue, a directory, a newsletter or a newspaper. A Canadian means a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Original editorial content means non-advertising content that is: (a) authored by a Canadian, including but not limited to writers, journalists, illustrators and photographers; or (b) created for the Canadian market and does not appear in any other edition of one or more periodicals published outside Canada.
Nothing in this Agreement may be invoked to prejudice either party's arguments regarding the nature of the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act,the Investment Canada Act or the Income Tax Act in the WTO or under the NAFTA.
Canada will amend Bill C-55, prior to it being passed by the Senate of Canada, to exempt from the application of the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act, those foreign-owned publishers whose investments in Canada with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of a periodical have been reviewed and approved under the Investment Canada Act. This exemption will continue unless a court determines by final order that the investor has not complied with the Investment Canada Act. In addition, Canada will allow under licensing arrangements any activity otherwise permitted under this Agreement.
Canada will further amend Bill C-55 to exempt those foreign publishers whose revenues from the sale of advertising primarily directed at the Canadian market represent 12 percent or less of the total revenues from the sale of advertising in an issue of the periodical that contains such advertising in Canada. Within 18 months after Bill C-55 comes into force, this percentage shall be increased to 15 percent, and within 36 months after Bill C-55 comes into force, this percentage shall be increased to 18 percent. The percentage of advertising space containing advertisements directed primarily at the Canadian market in the Canadian issue of the periodical will be deemed to represent the same percentage of advertising revenues earned in Canada by that issue of the periodical. In the event that this percentage is exceeded by the publisher, a demand letter will be issued by the responsible Minister prior to any further enforcement action being taken under the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act.
Canada will amend its foreign investment policy with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals in Canada by issuing foreign investment guidelines for the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals pursuant to section 38 of the Investment Canada Act. Under such guidelines, the establishment and expansion of foreign businesses, and the acquisition, direct or indirect, of existing foreign businesses to publish, distribute and sell periodicals in Canada will be permitted on the condition that such investments are of net benefit to Canada.
Effective 90 days after the entry into force of this Agreement, and subject to net benefit review under the Investment Canada Act, Canada will permit up to and including 51 percent foreign ownership in the establishment and acquisition of businesses to publish, distribute and sell periodicals except for the acquisition of Canadian-owned businesses.
Effective one year after the entry into force of this Agreement, and subject to net benefit review under the Investment Canada Act, Canada will permit up to and including 100 percent foreign ownership in the establishment and acquisition of businesses to publish, distribute and sell periodicals except for the acquisition of Canadian-owned businesses.
Partnerships of foreign investors with majority Canadian ownership will be permitted.
Foreign investments with respect to the publication, distribution and sale of a periodical are subject to review for net benefit to Canada pursuant to Part IV of the Investment Canada Act, including the investment's compatibility with Canada's cultural policy. In its net benefits review of an investment under Part IV of the Investment Canada Act, Canada will consider a combination of undertakings as compatible with Canadian cultural policy.
Net benefits review will include undertakings from foreign investors that result in a substantial level of original editorial content for the Canadian market contained in each periodical title. The amount of original editorial content for the Canadian market will be determined as a percentage of the total space occupied by the total editorial content contained in the periodical.
Net benefits review may also include undertakings by the foreign investor that:
i) create an employment infrastructure by directly employing an editorial staff and support staff composed of people resident in Canada with respect to each periodical title in Canada and establish or expand a place of business in Canada; or
ii) support the infrastructure in the publishing sector by having their titles edited, typeset and printed in Canada.
Under the Investment Canada Act and the Related Business Guidelines, an investment by a non-Canadian in a periodical title is deemed to be a new Canadian business and is subject to notification and review under the Act. Investors may submit a single application under the Investment Canada Act covering one or more titles concerning the publication, distribution and sale of periodicals. Investors will be required to report quarterly on their performance in relation to their undertakings, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Within one year of the entry into force of this Agreement, Canada will amend section 19 of the Income Tax Act so as to allow advertisers deductions in respect of periodicals containing the requisite levels of original editorial content irrespective of the nationality of the publisher or place of production.
Canada will also amend the definition of "Canadian issue" in section 19(5) of the Income Tax Act to conform with the definition of original editorial content as set forth in this Agreement. Canada will further amend the definition of "Canadian issue" in section 19(5) to remove exclusions on issues of a periodical published under a licence granted by a person who produces or publishes issues of a periodical that are printed, edited or published outside Canada.
Canada will further amend the Income Tax Act to modify the amount of the allowable deduction and original editorial content requirement to permit: a) half the deduction of advertising costs for advertisers in publications with zero to 79 percent original editorial content; and b) a full deduction of advertising costs for advertisers in publications with 80 percent or more original editorial content.
Canada and the United States agree to consult annually upon request within 20 days on any matter relating to this Agreement.
If either party considers that the other party is not in compliance with this Agreement, that party may withdraw from the Agreement by written notification to the other party. The Agreement shall become null and void 90 days after such notification and, at that time, the parties' respective rights and obligations will return to those that existed immediately prior to the entry into force of this Agreement.
I have the honour to propose that if the proposal contained in this letter is ac ceptable to the Government of the United States of America, this letter, in the English and French languages, each text being equally authentic, and your reply to that effect, shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments, which shall enter into force on the date of your reply.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration." I have the honor to inform you that the proposal contained in your letter dated June 3, 1999, is acceptable to my Government and to confirm that the letter and this reply shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments, which shall enter into force on this date.
Sincerely,
(Original signed by the Honorable Charlene Barshefsky
United States Trade Representative)
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