Quebec wants to access support programs

The Montreal Company has hired a lobbyist to represent the Ministry of Finance. Quebecker requests extension of credit eligibility criteria The bag of chips, In 5 minutes, Wallet, Billy, Silo57 And Wait-on-start Eligible.

“The certificate allows the company to profit from the tax credit to support these media activities, thereby contributing to the protection of written documents in Quebec,” said Claude E., a lawyer who specializes in tax law in Fascine. Jodoin wrote. In Montreal, its registration in the Quebec Lobbyists Registry. His term begins on September 27 and lasts for one year.

In an interview, Matthew Turbide, vice president of digital content at Quebecare, said the order was part of a series of broader interventions involving other programs and other media. “We need universal support,” he pleaded. We do not seek solutions that fit one medium or another. ”

Mr. Turbide confirms the standards of tax credit for the digital transformation of the media, but in support of the written press, impose a “fine” on Quebec.

The Digital Transformation Tax Credit provides a 35% reimbursement on digital conversion costs up to a maximum of $ 7 million through print media, paper, digital or mobile. Print Media Support Credit provides a 35% refundable tax credit on journalists’ salaries up to a maximum of $ 26,250 per employee.

The question of structure

To qualify for these two credits, a medium must cover at least three topics from a list of seven: politics, the municipal world, the international situation, culture, business and the economy, local news and other facts.

However, Quebaker’s specialized media does not cover three of the seven themes listed. This is the case Crisps bag, A site for gossip and unusual viral news, or Silo57, Whose theme is the art of living.

Mr. Turbide explains that Quebecare chose to distribute this particular content in a medium with its own identity, as this strategy would make it possible to better reach its target audience. This business decision disqualifies journalists working there from tax credit on salaries. Journalists, on the other hand, deserve to cover these themes in a simple written medium, he blamed.

Mr Turbide wants his news organization QMI to have access to credit, not news organizations. He wants the same to happen to TVA and LCN TV journalists. “We have the same stressful newsrooms compared to the advertising competition from web giants.”

At the Ministry of Finance, we are not in a position to provide an immediate response.

Do we need help?

Jean-Hughes Roy, a professor at the School of Media at UQAM, believes that the government should think about their social goal before giving money from public funds to Quebec’s specialty media. “People need money to support the media, but it’s not a buffet.”

If you find that it is a site In five minutes Has an educational component, he believes taxpayers should not fund The bag of chips, Publishes entertainment content to attract clicks, he says. ” The bag of chips, It is the trans fat of information. ”

The media that receives taxpayers’ money must meet the standards and be as accountable as Radio-Canada, which has an ombudsman. He believes Quebec’s participation in the Quebec Press Council should be a condition for getting public help. The Journal of Montreal And TVA Group have not been board members since 2010 and 2008 respectively. Quebecare’s specialty media are also not members.

Mr. Turbide did not believe that Press Council membership should be a condition. He “did not see the link” between the court and the media. “I think we are a proven newspaper company for the quality of the information we deliver on a day-to-day basis,” Mr. Turbide replied. Our journalists are just as respectable and professional as any other media. ”