If elected, will you protect the PAP, asks Magazines Canada of MPs

Magazines Canada has sent a letter to every member of Parliament in the country trying to impress upon them the importance of the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) to the Canadian magazine industry and the threat to the industry from recent decisions of Canada Post.

The letters detail the number of magazine subscribers in each MPs constituency who benefit from the postal subsidy. The letter explains the background of Canada Post's withdrawal of at $15 million contribution to the program and its plans to introduce distance-based pricing, both of which threaten to render magazine delivery unaffordable, it said, adding:

“If Canada Post is permitted to implement these changes, readers of Canadian magazines in your constituency will be affected. Canadian magazines will see a 40 per cent increase in postage costs. The cost of magazine subscriptions will increase, foreign magazines will be advantaged over Canadian ones and some magazines will no longer be available at all.”

MPs are asked to respond and say whether, if re-elected, they would

• Ensure that Canada Post maintains its contribution to the PAP program?
• Stop Canada Post from implementing Distance Related Pricing, at least until the strategic review of Canada Post’s mandate is complete