Rural newspapers will get at least two more years of postal subsidies after the federal government directed Canada Post to continue its support of the Publications Assistance Program.
The program, funded jointly by Heritage Canada and Canada Post, provides up to $15 million each year in postal subsidies to farm newspapers including the Western Producer.
Ken Zacharias, president of the Canadian Farm Press Association and publisher of the Western Producer, said the decision allows newspapers to keep costs down.
Without it, papers would have to look internally to their advertising and subscriptions rates, possibly doubling or tripling them.
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“It’s a big cost. This (decision) gives us more breathing room,” said Zacharias.
He said farm newspapers have different delivery issues than urban magazines due to the distances their publications must travel and the limited number of delivery options available other than Canada Post.
“Our argument is that rural populations remain important to Canada, important as a unique community, and they should have access to affordable and vital information,” he said.
The farm press association appealed to government and Heritage Canada minister Beverly Oda after learning of Canada Post’s intention to withdraw the postal support on March 31, 2007.
Heritage Canada is expected to review the subsidy and its support of Canadian publications in the new year.
The Canadian Farm Press Association represents 27 publications that reach more than 600,000 subscribers primarily through Canada Post delivery. Currently 1,200 publications receive postal subsidies.
