Canadian Heritage committee  As we know, seniors read community newspapers a lot. They are greatly attached to them. As they don't all have Internet access, the community newspaper provides them with local information. The community media talk about the people around them. Often, older people recognize thems

Canadian Heritage committee  Measures by whom?

Canadian Heritage committee  We will need a program designed for small newspapers and small communities. Assistance should not be given simply to official language minority newspapers or those in a media desert. The program must be designed for everyone in Quebec, including small municipalities.

Canadian Heritage committee  At the beginning of the pandemic, in March or April, all businesses in Quebec shut down. If there had not been advertising from the Government of Quebec, the newspapers would have shut their doors. Buying local and supporting local merchants are very important. At a certain point

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you.

Canadian Heritage committee  Are you talking to me?

Canadian Heritage committee  Okay. The print newspapers have their websites and are beginning to have a lot of digital advertising. With our advertising agency, CPS, we are beginning to use digital. We are only at the beginning, but things are starting to go well. I would like to go back to the federal gov

Canadian Heritage committee  About the tax credit, I was saying that organizations have to employ two reporters in order to be eligible for it. In community print media, that is practically impossible. Often, the papers are put together completely by volunteers; when they have an employee, that employee does

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, absolutely. That’s what we would like.

Canadian Heritage committee  I would like to point out that 5% of national advertising is attributed to official language minority media. However, we are not in that situation.

Canadian Heritage committee  There is the tax credit, which our members are not eligible for because two reporters are required—

Canadian Heritage committee  Is that better now? Can you hear me?

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, all is fine.

Canadian Heritage committee  It has only just begun. I saw advertising for the first time in December, but until recently there was none. To date, in 62 of our publications, the federal government has placed $35,000 worth of advertising, which is really very little.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, absolutely.