I would like to consider your recommendations.
You are correct in saying, on page 8, that it is incumbent on Canadian Heritage to support you through financial incentives that would cover up to 50% of production and content costs. You are making a request to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, which is your R and D support in general. Then you make a request that we have often heard, namely, that all government departments and agencies be encouraged to use your advertising services.
That is a very good idea, especially since it would have a leverage effect. If an ad is created by a professional graphic artist within a department, it enhances the content and the appearance. The local fruit store is happy to advertise its pineapples, which are not expensive, because it increases the critical mass of advertising.
We have to wonder what our communities would be like without the community bulletin board that these newspapers provide. People would have to put up an ad at the IKEA store, 300 kilometres from the town where a softball game will be held, in support of a youth association. Your media are extremely important, and I think our examination of the issues is very sound.
Thank you for describing the very similar situation in Quebec and in eastern Canada.