In anticipation of the Publisac ban in May 2023, Montreal is granting $2 million in aid to local newspapers to support them in their digital transition.
The administration of Valérie Plante unveiled the details of its aid program on Friday. This is intended for newspapers distributed to residents of the Montreal agglomeration with a circulation of at least 3,000 copies per edition and which offer content written by at least one journalist.
To be eligible for financial assistance, newspapers must be intended exclusively to inform the population of the Montréal agglomeration and be published at least six times a year. The owners of these publications will be able to obtain a fixed subsidy of $85,000 for each newspaper distributed.
“We think that with this financial support of two million dollars, our local printed newspapers will have a breath of fresh air. We know that it does not solve all their problems, but it will give them oxygen to be able to accelerate their process of transition to business models that are adapted to today’s reality,” said explained Luc Rabouin, responsible for economic development on the executive committee of the City of Montreal.
Montreal estimates that approximately 25 newspapers on the island of Montreal will be able to obtain this financial assistance.
The City also intends to develop an action plan under which the City would use its communication budgets to place advertising in local newspapers.
Further details will follow.
To see in video