Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller speaks with reporters before the Liberal party caucus meeting in West Block on Jan. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Liberals quietly review all government funding programs for journalism
Broadcast | |June 18, 2026
The federal government has launched a consultation on its direct funding supports for the news media industry.
In a statement to The Wire Report, a spokesperson for the Department of Canadian Heritage confirmed Ottawa has conducted “targeted stakeholder engagement activities” with news companies, magazine publishers, and Indigenous media groups, which started during the spring.
“The objective of this engagement was to gather perspectives on the future orientations of programs supporting these sectors,” read the statement.
The deliberations could not be found on the exhaustive list of public consultations published on the department’s website.
The spokesperson said the government facilitated 12 stakeholder meetings as part of the examination, adding that the department is “currently analyzing all input and submissions.”
No decisions on the direct programs, which include the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI), Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit, and Canada Periodical Fund, have been made, as the government branch is still preparing a summary of the consultation.
Ottawa also provides support to other programs administered by independent public entities, like the Canada Media Fund (CMF) or Canada Council for the Arts.
Launched in 2019, the LJI helps smaller outlets hire journalists or freelance writers, with the intent of supporting local coverage in “underserved communities.” For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the government allocated $20.8 million to the program.
The labour tax credit, also established in 2019, gives news outlets the opportunity to expense up to 35 per cent of a print reporter’s salary or wages up to $85,000 per year. According to data from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the policy is expected to cost Ottawa $66 million in 2026-27.
The Liberals are also looking at expanding program eligibility to include radio and television broadcasters, though the anticipated cost remains unknown despite Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller (Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, Que.) erroneously claiming the policy change could cost $6 billion during a recent committee appearance.
Meanwhile, the Canada Periodical Fund has been around since 2009, meant to help fund print newspapers and magazines. In the government’s most recent spending plan, the program received $73.5 million, while last year’s budget also promised an additional $38.4 million injection over the next three years.
The Wire Report and its parent company, Hill Times Publishing, annually receive thousands in government funding under the Canada Periodical Fund.
Under each program, news outlets are designated by the Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures, a six-person panel featuring experts and industry veterans.
Neither Miller’s office nor the Canadian Heritage department immediately responded to The Wire Report’s questions regarding whether program changes are being considered, or whether the consultation could lead to updates or funding cuts.
The policy consultation was first revealed during a Senate finance committee meeting on June 16, when Ontario Sen. Andrew Cardozo asked Canadian heritage officials a seemingly innocuous question about whether the CMF could administer the LJI moving forwards.
“It’s not something that’s being considered at this time,” said Amy Awad, a director general in the department. “The Local Journalism Initiative provides funding directly for journalists, while the Canada Media Fund generally provides funding for projects, and so the model and approach is a little bit different.”
“But there is currently a consultation being done on all the government’s direct supports to journalism, including the Local Journalism Initiative, and thought is being given to the most effective means of delivering them.”
Last week, The Globe and Mail reported the Liberals are planning on asking the CRTC to scrap requirements forcing streaming companies to fund local news outlets and specialty broadcasters, like Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc.
Canada’s broadcasting regulator implemented rules directing streamers, including U.S.-based companies, to finance, among other things, domestic news content under the Online Streaming Act brought forward by Justin Trudeau’s government.
The regulations have faced pushback from American industry interests, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, causing friction in trade discussions leading up to the scheduled review of North America’s free trade agreement, set to begin in July.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s (Nepean, Ont.) government has been accused of selling out Canada’s news and entertainment media sectors to achieve a better position at the bargaining table with the White House.
