MANITOU, Manitoba, July 20, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Candice Hoeppner, Member of Parliament (Portage-Lisgar), today announced funding for The Western Canadian.
The Western Canadian is a weekly newspaper, circulating mostly within the 30-kilometre radius surrounding Manitou.
"The periodical industry is a vital cultural sector in Canada," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to support local weekly newspapers that speak to the members of the communities they serve."
"The Western Canadian is just one example of a quality, local newspaper that makes an essential contribution to the life of the community it serves," said Ms. Hoeppner. "I am pleased to see the Government of Canada supporting such publications."
"Our goal at The Western Canadian is to provide residents of Manitou, the Rural Municipality of Pembina, and the surrounding regions with information tailored to their interests," said Grant Howatt, Publisher. "Funding through the Canada Periodical Fund helps us keep our subscription prices affordable and helps us keep up to date on changes in the newspaper industry."
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $19,868 to The Western Canadian 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.
For more information (media only), please contact:
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
