Media Crisis in Quebec : “The Federal Government Needs to Collect GST From Information Providers” – Isabelle Melançon

In a motion tabled at the National Assembly, the MNA representing Verdun and Liberal Critic for Culture and Communications, Ms. Isabelle Melançon, asked the government to require that the federal government collect GST from information providers within its territory, in an effort to support national, regional and local Quebec information media.

The motion that was tabled and supported by all the parties represented at the National Assembly, read as follows: “That the National Assembly recognize the urgent need to take action to deal with the crisis raging within the media;

That it recall that Quebec handles taxation for all online international service providers within in its jurisdiction;

That it underscore the federal government’s lack of willingness assume responsibility for this issue within its field of jurisdiction;

That it ask the government to collect GST from these providers within Quebec’s territory, in an effort to support national regional and local information media.”

Last month, Ms. Melançon asked the government to broadcast government advertisements in Quebec media. There was unanimous support for her motion among members of the National Assembly.

A Quebec information offer that is diversified and of high-quality is essential to the vitality of Quebec’s democratic life. That is why I am asking the government to make the necessary representations to Ottawa so that the federal government collects GST from information providers, just as Quebec does with the taxation for international service providers online.

–Isabelle Melançon, MNA representing Verdun and Liberal Critic for Culture and Communications

Recall that a parliamentary committee on the future of information media is currently examining the issue to develop solutions that will allow information media to thrive rather than just survive throughout Quebec’s territory.