Evidence of meeting #7 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was newspapers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
It won't be long, Mr. Chair.
I have just a small question. In your presentation, at page 6, it says that 27 official language publications received $702,139 in funding in 2008-2009. I understand that you don't have the 2009-2010 figures. In theory, the ones who should have it should have it today.
Director General, Cultural Industries, Department of Canadian Heritage
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Can you tell us, if we consider 2008-2009, how many publications were applications made for? Did everyone who apply receive money or did some have their application rejected?
Director, Periodical Publishing Policy and Programs, Department of Canadian Heritage
In 2008-2009, the 27 applications were approved.
Liberal
Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
There were 27 applications and 27 applications were approved.
Director, Periodical Publishing Policy and Programs, Department of Canadian Heritage
Yes.
Conservative
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I am wondering about a magazine or periodical produced in Quebec. Take Géo Plein Air, for example, which is distributed everywhere in Canada in French in national parks and outfitters. Some subjects relate to the outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, recreational activities, and so on. Would that publication be eligible because this French-language product is distributed in, for example, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick, where French is the minority language? Can it be a recipient under the program?
Director, Periodical Publishing Policy and Programs, Department of Canadian Heritage
It's a matter of sales and not the language of publication. The question is whether there are more than 1,500 copies distributed per year at the newsstand or by subscription.
Once they're sold, we treat everyone the same. The formula applies to every copy in the same way. There isn't more money in the formula for official language minority titles per copy, but there is easier access to official language minority titles.
In the example you raised, if they sell copies, they would absolutely be eligible for our program, and anyone who subscribes to them in French around Canada would receive funding and recognition of that.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
And so, given that it comes from Quebec, it can't be considered to be minority francophone if it is sold elsewhere. It's something else, if I understand correctly. So it can be eligible for the program...
Director, Periodical Publishing Policy and Programs, Department of Canadian Heritage
Oui.
Director General, Cultural Industries, Department of Canadian Heritage
It is the publisher's address that counts.
Director General, Cultural Industries, Department of Canadian Heritage
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
That is what determines eligibility for the program.
I gave the example of Géo Plein Air because it reaches a wide variety of people. In terms of concept, do some magazines fit the program while others don't? I'm talking about outdoor activities, but I could also talk about music or literature.
Can all magazines be eligible for the program?
Director General, Cultural Industries, Department of Canadian Heritage
The only magazines that aren't are the pornographic kind, for example Playboy Canada.
Director General, Cultural Industries, Department of Canadian Heritage
It can be a religious magazine, an outdoor magazine or a general information magazine, it's all the same to us.
Conservative
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
You talked about publications that receive a contribution from the government. That doesn't include daily papers. Is that correct?
Director General, Cultural Industries, Department of Canadian Heritage
Director, Periodical Publishing Policy and Programs, Department of Canadian Heritage
Absolutely.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Regardless of whether the owner is a multinational? You said earlier, Mr. Bernier, that it didn't cover The Globe and Mail or the National Post. But some weeklies are owned by an empire. In New Brunswick, it's rare to talk about newspapers. I think it's the only province in Canada where 17 newspapers are owned by an empire, the Irving empire in that case. Irving has decided to publish a weekly called L'Étoile. Is it one of the 27 publications?
