Madam Speaker, many more people in Canada subscribe to the weekly newspaper industry than they do to magazines. I want to make that clear. I am talking in particular about my province, but no matter what province people live in, most get their culture from the weekly newspaper.
The hon. member mentioned that Canada Post was going to relinquish something in the order of $18 million to drop the rate of postage for items coming into Canada. Because of Canada Post some weekly newspapers have to drive or truck their papers to different locations. Through Canada Post it would take a week or so before the papers reached their destination. Those sending items to Canada have to pay the same rate as if they were mailing it at a local post office. Why? There is an inconsistency in losing $18 million. The answer was that it will not cost the Canadian taxpayers. Canada Post is losing $18 million and there will be no cost to the Canadian taxpayers?
Where does the hon. member think they are going to find this $18 million? Will it be done by putting a higher postage rate on our weeklies?