In 2020 the federal government introduced the Special Measures for Journalism fund as a timely and responsive policy tool to address the urgent challenges facing the industry. 

Special Measures for Journalism (SMJ) funding has now ended. 

Magazines Canada and the Canadian Magazine Coalition have been advocating for the continuation of this program as a permanent part of the Canada Periodical Fund.The government needs to hear from SMJ recipients directly. To facilitate your involvement, please review and sign your name to the letter below and comment on the positive impacts SMJ has had on your business, and the potential repercussions of losing this funding (staffing, content, distro, etc.)

A strong show of support from our members in our communications with the Government of Canada is critical. We need a united voice from coast to coast to coast.

Dear Honourable Minister Guilbeault,

On behalf of Canadian magazine publishers, the Canadian Magazine Coalition is writing to express our appreciation of your government’s continued investment in the success and sustainability of our sector. We respectfully urge the Government of Canada to build on this strong foundation by establishing the Special Measures for Journalism (SMJ) fund as a permanent component of its investment strategy framework through the Canada Periodical Fund, beginning in 2025-26. 

Canadian magazines play a vital role in our national fabric, sharing stories that reflect our country’s diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities, and helping to shape and connect communities. The sector represents a one-billion-dollar annual industry with almost 2,400 titles published from coast to coast to coast. It encompasses both consumer and business-to-business brands, offering a rich and multicultural portfolio of content across print and digital platforms, supporting over 8,000  high-quality careers nationwide. 

Extending Impact, Broadening Reach
In 2020, the federal government introduced the SMJ program as a timely and responsive policy tool to address the urgent challenges facing the industry. Since its creation, SMJ has enabled the Canada Periodical Fund to expand its impact and reach, benefiting millions of Canadian readers by investing in award-winning, world-class, home-grown content. While SMJ has been especially impactful in Western Canada, its benefits to the ecosystem extend nationwide – more than half the publishers accessing SMJ funding are based in Ontario and Quebec. 

The Case for Making SMJ Permanent
Sustaining the Special Measures for Journalism grant program addresses historical funding biases and maintains equity in funding across the sector. It ensures the Department of Canadian Heritage continues to deliver on its mandate to provide eligible Canadian publishers of print magazines, print community newspapers, and digital periodicals with the financial support they need to create high-quality Canadian editorial content for Canadian readers with integrity and insight, while balancing the Government of Canada’s investment in the magazine industry across regions.  

We strongly advocate for the continuation of SMJ as part of the government’s core funding commitment, and we look forward to discussing this important matter with you. To this end, we would be pleased to meet at your convenience.

Sincerely,

The Canadian Magazine Coalition (Magazines Canada, AMPA, MagsBC, AQEM)