Fine. As far as the Publications Assistance Program is concerned, I would like to point out that it is a subsidy for the mailing costs of newspapers and magazines. Normally, the papers are sent to subscribers. In the case of several of our papers, it's the only solution in terms of distribution. For example, in Vancouver, we do not include our newspaper in the Publisac which goes out to everyone living in Vancouver. That would be a prohibitively expensive way for us to reach our readers. So we have no choice but to send our paper directly to our readers, namely to those who specifically asked to receive our publication.
Minority newspapers are more strongly affected by certain changes because they do not have any alternative solutions. It is difficult for them, for instance, to adapt to a significant increase in postal rates or to find another method of distribution. Further, the papers which are sent to subscribers operate in areas where there already are other publications. In Eastern Ontario, for instance, several papers are distributed to every resident because of the population pool. However, in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, in the north and in the Atlantic provinces, papers are sent out by subscription. In these places, people are always on edge, because they are never sure that they will have enough resources for their paper to survive.
Le Gaboteur, in Newfoundland, and L'Eau vive in Saskatchewan, had to cease their operations several times and could only publish again with the support of the community, and, it must be said, with grants for francophone communities. However, there is very little leeway. Will another paper close down? It's hard to say. The fact remains that this situation does not make life easier for regional papers, which are already experiencing many problems.
I agree with what Mr. Grenier said. Canada Post's contribution has been reduced by $15 million. But, in fact, there should be a $15 million surplus due to the dividend Canada Post will realize for the government at the end of the year. Either way, there is no difference for the government.