WATROUS, Saskatchewan, June 25, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification) and Member of Parliament (Blackstrap), today announced funding for The Watrous Manitou newspaper.
The Watrous Manitou is a weekly newspaper that has been covering regional and community news for the Watrous and Manitou areas for the past 75 years.
"Our Government is proud to contribute to local weekly newspapers that speak to the members of the communities they serve," said Minister Moore. "A strong periodical sector contributes to our economy and allows Canadians to tell and hear stories, opinions, and perspectives on all topics that are of interest to them."
"The Watrous Manitou contributes to the vitality of the communities it serves," said Minister of State Yelich. "These federal funds will ensure that this newspaper remains a vibrant source of information for years to come."
"As publishers of a weekly newspaper in rural Saskatchewan, my husband and I are indebted to the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for the assistance we receive in offsetting costs associated with producing and mailing our paper," said Nicole Lay, Publisher. "We believe subscription-based community newspapers are the cornerstone of a critical network of communication, maintaining people's familial connections and strengthening local ties. Our ability to place that method of dialogue into our customers' hands each week is greatly accommodated by the CPF."
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $23,634 to The Watrous Manitou newspaper under the Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF). The Fund invests in periodicals like this one to help increase the overall health of the Canadian magazine and non-daily newspaper industries. The Aid to Publishers component works to ensure that Canadians can continue to have access to the Canadian content they want from paid or request circulation magazines and community newspapers and provides those titles with the support they need to respond to a complex marketplace. This component provides greater flexibility for publishers to invest where needed in creation, production, marketing, distribution, and Web and digital development.
The CPF, which was created following public consultations, replaces two former programs: the Publications Assistance Program and the Canada Magazine Fund.
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
