Ottawa poised to help newspapers in upcoming budget

All signs point to print media getting a much-needed financial assist from the federal government in the next budget.

The financing is expected to be doled out through the Canada Periodical Fund, which currently assists print magazines, non-daily newspapers and digital periodicals.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly reportedly discussed the matter during a meeting Thursday with representatives of the Federation nationale des communications, which represents 7,000 people who work in culture and communications.

Joly's spokesman, Simon Ross, didn't deny the report and says there will be an announcement in the coming weeks or months concerning the $75-million annual fund, which is currently under review.

Ross said the government wants to correct some of the problems with the fund "to adapt it to the digital age" because it was created before the advent of the internet.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Quebec Le Soleil last week he was preoccupied with the financial crisis facing media in Canada and that the decision on federal funding would come in the next budget.