(Ottawa) The federal Liberal government is extending a program that funds 400 jobs for local journalists across the country.
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said Friday that Ottawa will spend an additional $58.8 million to continue the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) until 2027.
The program, which allows news organizations to hire local journalists, was created in 2019.
The government emphasizes that IJL journalists cover news in underserved communities, including Indigenous, official language minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
Funding is managed by nonprofit organizations to protect the independence of the press.
The Canadian Press is participating in the initiative through a contract with News Media Canada for editorial support and technical and delivery services.
News Media Canada is one of seven non-profit organizations that administer the program. The Canadian Press is not directly funded by the IJL and does not receive funding from the program for journalist positions.
A person representing The Canadian Press participates in the committee that reviews applications for IJL grants administered by News Media Canada.