The Year in Review: 2005-2006
A New Minister of Canadian Heritage
On February 6, 2006, the Honourable Bev Oda was sworn in as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women. On April 25, 2006, in a speech to the Professional Writers’ Association of Canada, the Minister affirmed her support for Canadian publishing: “The government recognizes that, even as technologies change, the best insurance that Canadian writers will continue to thrive is a thriving traditional publishing industry. [ . . . ] These publications not only reflect Canada’s unique and vibrant culture, they play a major part in creating it.”A New Structure
This year, the Periodical Publishing Policy and Programs Directorate joined the Cultural Industries Branch. The mandate of the new Branch is to create a competitive and sustainable environment in Canada that fosters the production and publication of Canadian content in all media: book and periodical publishing, film, video, and sound recording. In a changing cultural environment, this new organizational structure will create greater opportunities for horizontal approaches to issues that implicate multiple media industries.
Evaluation of the Funding Programs
Summative evaluations for both the Canada Magazine Fund and the Publications Assistance Program were finalized as per the evaluation policy for federally-funded programs. This type of evaluation is designed to assess the relevance of services rendered, ensuring that the program is delivering according to its objectives. More details on the findings of the individual evaluations are presented later in this report. The evaluations and recommendations are available on the Canadian Heritage Web site at the following addresses:
Canada Magazine Fund
Publications Assistance Program
Canadian Heritage Presents: Focus on Newsstand Sales
For the second consecutive year, the Department sent a speaker to the national Magazines University event held in Toronto. The conference series presents topics of interest to the periodical publishing industry, situating their work in a global context. Our speaker in 2005 was Glen Clark, President of The News Group Canada, a member of the Jim Pattison Group. In his address to the participants, he discussed Canadian magazines’ potential for success on the newsstand and the future of wholesale distribution and the Canadian market.
Environmental Initiatives – Preserving Our Natural Heritage
Canadian Heritage recognizes the role of periodical publishers in safeguarding our environment. In order to better understand the industry’s progress in this area, the Department is currently gathering data on the environmental activities of Canada Magazine Fund applicants. To date, more than seventy-two Canadian magazine and newspaper publishers have developed policies that protect old-growth and endangered forests. The efforts of twelve magazines in particular are recognized for being the first to print on ancient forest friendly paper, which is free of fibres from old-growth and endangered forests.
Recognizing North American Leaders in Ancient Forest Friendly Publishing
Explore, Yes Mag and Know were the first three Canadian magazines to be published on ancient forest friendly glossy (or coated) paper. Ideas, Watershed Sentinel, Exploring the Best, The New Quarterly, Green Teacher, Bio-bulle, Quill & Quire, Canadian Publishers Directory, and Book Trade in Canada have changed to ancient forest friendly uncoated paper. The Department of Canadian Heritage congratulates these magazines for having contributed to the preserv
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