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Canadian Magazines Welcome the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Maintenance of a Strong Cultural Exemption

Toronto, ON (October 3, 2018) – On September 30, 2018, the United States, Mexico and Canada announced the completion of negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a new trade agreement that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Magazines Canada welcomes the announcement that a strong cultural exemption is maintained in the USMCA. A continued cultural exemption provision is crucial in ensuring Canadians have access to quality Canadian content, and essential for the continued sustainability and growth of Canada’s creative industries, of which Canadian magazines are proud to be a part.

“Magazines Canada’s nearly 400 members across the country congratulate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister Chrystia Freeland, Minister Mélanie Joly, Minister Pablo Rodriguez, and the Canadian negotiating team for their successful preservation of the cultural exemption in the USMCA,” said Melanie Rutledge, Magazines Canada’s Executive Director. “We are especially pleased that the cultural exemption applies in both the analogue and digital spaces. This digital inclusion will be critical to Canadian magazines and other cultural industries in the years to come.”

Canadian magazines are an important economic sector that contributes to Canada’s economic competitiveness, and to our social cohesion. Nearly 2,700 business-to-business, consumer and cultural magazines contribute approximately $1.7 billion to Canada’s GDP. Canadian magazines are produced in every province and territory across the country, and are published in 34 different languages, giving Canadians access to Canadian voices, perspectives, news and entertainment.

About Magazines Canada
Magazines Canada is the national association representing the majority of Canadian-owned, Canadian-content consumer, cultural, specialty, professional and business magazines. French and English member titles cover a wide range of interests across multiple platforms, including arts and culture, business and professional, lifestyle and food, news and politics, sports and leisure, women and youth. The association focuses on government affairs, services to the advertising trade, circulation marketing and the development of career skills for and the recognition of excellence among the people who work in Canada’s magazine media. Visit magazinescanada.ca.

For more information:

Brianne DiAngelo
Manager, Communications
Magazines Canada
bdiangelo@magazinescanada.ca