End of Publisac

End of the Publisac raises concerns for local media in Quebec

Member of Parliament Andréanne Larouche is calling on the federal government to find solutions for the continuous distribution of local with the end of the Publisac in Quebec. Photo: Taylor McClure.

By Taylor McClure
Townships’ Daily News Bits
CIDI 99.1 FM
Published on 06/03/24 - Played on 04/02/24

Andréanne Larouche, Member of Parliament for Shefford, is reiterating her call to the federal government to find solutions for the distribution of local and regional weekly newspapers as the end of the Publisac in Quebec draws near.

The Publisac has been circulating for over 40 years and it acts as a distributor for weekly flyers, advertising, and many local and regional weekly newspapers due to its lower delivery costs. However, measures that were implemented at the municipal level in different areas of the province affected its business model and it became no longer viable. 

Considering the state of local media in Canada, LaRouche explained to CIDI that she is asking the federal government to speak with Canada Post and to work together to ensure that news and information can continue to be diffused in local communities. 

Distribution of the Publicsac in the Eastern Townships ends the week of April 15.

(Disclosure: This radio program also contains an interview with MP and Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St. Onge discussing, in part, the Local Journalism Initiative. Taylor McClure is a journalist funded through the Local Journalism Initiative.)

Listen to the full interview below: