Quebec’s press industry is currently experiencing viability difficulties, which is why Isabelle Melançon, the MNA representing Verdun and Official Opposition Critic for Culture and Communications, questioned the government and tabled a motion at the National Assembly today, asking the government to quickly review all of the governmental policies pertaining to advertising.
She wants the government to set an example in terms of advertising investments, not only by respecting the 4% investment in community media outlets, but also by putting an end to government advertising on foreign platforms such as Facebook, Amazon and others that are detrimental to Quebec’s media outlets. Thus, the MNA representing Verdun asked the government to review all of its government advertising policies and invest in Quebec’s regional and national media, creating better stability for their revenues.
Offering diverse, quality, Quebec-based information is essential to the vitality of Quebec’s democratic life and the government needs to play a prominent role in ensuring its protection. I therefore ask the government to lead by example and ensure that all of its ministers publish their advertisements through Quebec media outlets.
—Isabelle Melançon, MNA representing Verdun and Official Opposition Critic for Culture and Communications
Recall that a parliamentary commission on the future of information media is currently examining the issue in order to establish solutions that would allow information media to continue to exist throughout Quebec’s territory. We invite all groups that are interested in taking part to submit a brief to the secretary of the Committee on Culture and Education: assnat.qc.ca.
The MNA representing Verdun is once again offering the CAQ government concrete solutions for culture and communications. Recall that she suggested that the Minister of Culture establish a fund dedicated to culture from the monies collected from Netflix since January 1, 2019.
We are thrilled about the National Assembly’s unanimous approval of the following motion presented by Ms. Melançon:
“Whereas offering diverse, quality Quebec-based information is essential to the vitality of Quebec’s democratic life and whereas the Government of Quebec must play a prominent role in ensuring its protection;
Whereas Quebec’s information media is currently experiencing viability difficulties;
That National Assembly require exemplary behaviour from the government with respect to advertising expenses in order to counter the exodus of advertising revenues from traditional media to foreign digital platforms, and to guarantee tax equality between these platforms and Quebec-based companies;
That it require the government to quickly review all of its governmental policies regarding advertising so that government expenses for advertising encourage stable revenues among regional and national media outlets;
That the National Assembly compel the government to require ministries and organizations to focus their advertising expenses on press outlets within Quebec.”
