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Winnipeg, Man.
Periodicals’ postal subsidy will continue


In an editorial March 6, 1998, Jim Coggins reported that the postal subsidy MB Herald, Mennonitische Rundschau, and numerous other church periodicals had been receiving from the Canadian government (through Canada Post) was in jeopardy. On August 3, both MBH and MR received letters from the Department of Canadian Heritage saying, “We are pleased to inform you that your publication meets the criteria of the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) and will therefore continue to be eligible for the PAP postal subsidy.” No explanation was given.

The Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH) took over this subsidy function from Canada Post in 1997 and each periodical receiving the subsidy had to reapply for it. MBH complied with the request.

In January 1998 MBH received a letter from DCH saying that only those publications that are “i) available to the general public and not exclusively to members of a particular group, organization or association, and ii) that a subscription has been purchased on a truly optional basis, and not simply included within an association’s membership fees” were to continue receiving funding. Actually, this was no different than the rules which had been in operation under Canada Post. However, interpretation of these rules varied, and MBH was to have a plan of compliance in place by March 31.

After prayer and deliberation, the Board of Communications contracted with former editor Harold Jantz to act on behalf of the Herald and negotiate with DCH. Through his efforts an extension for compliance was received.

Canadian Church Press (CCP), of which MB Herald is a member, also began lobbying the government on behalf of MBH and many others who were affected by this ruling. CCP, together with Jantz met with DCH officials and began clarifying some of the issues involved. By the end of November, 732 of the 1733 applications received for Publications Assistance Program (subsidy) had been approved, 342 rejected and 659 waited to be processed. Many of those waiting were religious publications.

In March 1999, CCP publications were beginning to receive rulings. The first rulings were all rejections – for various reasons, like not having enough Canadian content, or that they primarily promoted the organization. Some of these rejections were immediately appealed by CCP and this resulted in a review of the situation by DCH. This resulted in many of the periodicals subsequently receiving approval. By the end of August about 17 periodicals had received a positive reply.

SBB

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Last modified September 28, 1999.

© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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