As Masthead reported, the details of the Canada Periodical Fund were announced late Tuesday, with one notable exemption from the $1.5 million funding cap. Farming publications are not subject to the cap, which is half of what a handful of Canada’s largest magazines received under the editorial content provisions of the Canada Magazine Fund plus Publication Assistance Program, both of which end March 31.

The decision to exempt farm publications from the funding cap is to recognize their special importance to Canada heritage, says Government of Canada media relations advisor Len Westerberg. “Farm publications serve largely rural communities and provide information crucial for both the operations of farms, and for farming communities and families,” he says. “They are the key source of information for these communities.”

According to the Department of Canadian Heritage, only one farm publication, Saskatoon-based weekly, The Western Producer, received more than $1.5 million in postal subsidy in 2008-2009. The Glacier Media title received $1,779,611. Saskatoon is represented by a Conservative MP, Maurice Vellakott (for what it's worth).