In the article below, Winnipeg Free Press publisher Bob Cox highlights some of the issues surrounding government advertising in Canada.

The first issue of The Press and The Courts for 2013 is now available online. Volume 32, Issue 1 of Newspapers Canada’s quarterly legal bulletin contains coverage of a partial media win against a publication ban at the Charbonneau inquiry into Quebec construction contract corruption. The bulletin also contains details on the new rules on electronic devices in Ontario courtrooms, a student newspaper’s claims regarding threat to press freedom, and comments from Canada's Information Commissioner, Suzanne Legault about the state of Freedom of Information in Canada.

As a result of lobbying efforts by the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA), Canada Post has eliminated the High Demand Route (HDR) premium from Unaddressed Admail, effective January 14, 2013.

Publishers should note pricing and service changes to Canada Post products that take effect January 14, 2013.

On January 4, 2013, the Government of Canada published revised draft regulations related to its anti-spam legislation passed in 2010 (Bill C-28). The legislation, which governs electronic communications for commercial purposes, has been controversial due to the wide net it casts over business-related electronic communications. Concerns by stakeholders, particularly the business community, about the proposed regulation of Commercial Electronic Messages have resulted in the government delaying proclamation of the legislation and, consequently, its coming into law.

Effective February 1, 2013, Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice is implementing a new code of behaviour concerning the use of electronic devices in courtrooms. Under the Protocol on the Use of Electronic Devices in the Courtroom, certain individuals—including counsel, paralegals, law students and clerks, self-represented parties, and media or journalists—will be permitted to use electronic devices such as computers and smartphones in silent mode and in a discreet and unobtrusive manner, subject to certain restrictions.

The fourth and final edition of The Press and The Courts for 2012 and an Annual Review are now available in the Members Area of the Newspapers Canada website. Highlighting this issue is the Abella decision in the Nova Scotia AB v Bragg Communications case. Also in this issue: coverage of the Vellacott defamation decision in Saskatchewan, the Boissoin human rights decision in Alberta, and a decision by the B.C. courts to restrict use of electronic devices in some courts to those who receive accreditation.

For the 30th anniversary of Canada’s Access to Information Act, Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault has launched a review of the act, and is seeking submissions from stakeholders and Canadians. Legault has indicated five areas--including limitations on access and cabinet confidences--that she has an interest in hearing about. 

Newspapers Canada members are encouraged to submit their feedback on Canada’s information access regime either via mail or online.  Please note, submissions will only be accepted until December 21.

Funding applications for the Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund are due next week. Publishers who are interested in applying for financial assistance for the 2013-2014 fiscal year must submit the required application forms and all supporting documents to the Department of Canadian Heritage by Monday, November 26, 2012.

Publishers have less than two weeks left to prepare and submit their applications for the Aid to Publishers component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF). Applications for funding for 2013-2014 must be submitted to the Department of Canadian Heritage by Monday, November 26, 2012. Packages should contain all forms and supporting documents in hard copy and be postmarked or date stamped by other delivery services on or before the submission deadline in order to be eligible for consideration.