The Association of Canadian Publishers represents approximately 115 small- to medium-size Canadian-owned and -controlled English-language book publishers, accounting for some 80% of the Canadian-authored titles released annually. The ACP routinely lobbies government and serves as an advocate for the industry overall. Kate Edwards, who has served as the organization’s executive director since 2015, recently discussed the organization’s priorities.
What are the major issues facing ACP publishers this year?
Independent Canadian publishers are facing the same issues that others around the world are grappling with: paper shortages and rising production costs, competition for press time, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Though global in nature, these challenges are felt more acutely by the small- and medium-size companies represented by the Association of Canadian Publishers, which operate on slimmer margins than their large, multinational competitors.
Is the ACP developing any special projects relevant to helping publishers face these challenges?
One of ACP’s strengths is as a convenor, both among independent publishers and also across the supply chain. In the last year, ACP established a regular discussion group for production managers, who have not historically participated in association programs or discussions. These are often focused on other areas of the business, or association priorities like advocacy. Providing a forum for these geographically dispersed publishing professionals to network with their peers and share their experiences is a small step ACP can take to help publishers work cooperatively to explore creative solutions to current challenges. We are also in regular communication with our Canadian printing partners, who have participated in recent ACP events to share information about the latest trends and forecasts, and to connect directly with publishers.
ACP also continues to support our members in digital market development. With the support of targeted funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, ACP’s digital arm, eBound Canada, is helping our members increase their production of books that are “born accessible.” Since 2019, close to 75% of the new e-books catalogued by eBound have been accessible and, through a unique partnership with Benetech, 22 independent Canadian publishers have been named Benetech Global Certified Accessible. We anticipate that another 36 will achieve certification by March 2024.
Has the membership changed?
Despite all of the challenges, there are still new presses entering the industry and joining ACP—a sign of a vibrant Canadian writing and publishing sector. We have expanded our professional development offerings for new and emerging companies over the last two years, including the introduction of a Publishing 101 webinar series, which has proven to be among ACP’s most popular professional development programming. As the market continues to evolve, and new challenges emerge during this period of pandemic recovery, the relevance and importance of ACP as a network of Canadian independent presses has been reinforced.
One of the roles the ACP plays is in lobbying the government on behalf of its members. Has government support changed or evolved over the past year?
The Department of Canadian Heritage is the primary funder of book publishing in Canada, with the Canada Book Fund being the central program that supports Canadian-owned publishers. In addition to its regular funding programs, since 2020 Canadian Heritage has delivered targeted emergency and recovery funding to help the publishing industry—publishers, distributors, booksellers—and other arts and culture sectors respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. These programs have been essential to maintaining publishing capacity during an extremely difficult period, and ACP is grateful for the government’s response to the crisis.
In his most recent mandate letter to the minister of Canadian heritage, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signaled his government’s intention to increase the budget of the Canada Book Fund, which is welcome news to ACP and our members. The budget of CBF’s primary funding programs has been static since 2001, which has made it difficult to keep pace with the significant changes to the publishing landscape over the last two decades. An increase to the funding envelope would help improve the long-term sustainability of independent publishing in Canada.
Does the organization have a position on the potential merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster?
ACP is opposed to the pending sale of Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House. We have voiced our deep concern about the Canadian implications of the sale with the Competition Bureau and Canadian Heritage’s Office of Investment Review, which regulates foreign investment in Canadian cultural industries, including mergers and acquisitions. Publishers around the world might be surprised to know how little transparency there is in Canada around these types of transactions—neither industry nor the public has any way of knowing whether the government is actively reviewing the sale.
Sales data tracked by BookNet Canada shows that in 2021, almost 40% of the books sold at retail in Canada were distributed by either PRH or Simon & Schuster, giving them significant command of the marketplace. The prospect of a combined entity is alarming to many smaller publishers who already compete with these and other large companies on all fronts in a very concentrated marketplace. The merger would only serve to further entrench these trends, and stands to further limit competition.
Do you have any challenges you want to prioritize in the coming months and into 2023?
Canadian writers and publishers continue to navigate a challenging copyright environment. Litigation precipitated by the introduction of fair dealing for education in 2012 continues, and last year’s Supreme Court of Canada decision in the York University/Access Copyright trial has not brought any clarity to the question of what constitutes “fair” copying in Canada for educational purposes.
The need for copyright reform, particularly as it relates to clarification of fair dealing for education, remains a high priority for ACP. The government of Canada committed in this year’s federal budget to working “to ensure a sustainable educational publishing industry, including fair remuneration for creators and copyright holders,” which represents the first time since 2012 that the government has acknowledged the unsustainability of the current situation. Though this is a positive development, the road to legislative amendments, which we view as essential, is unclear. ACP joins colleague associations in calling on the government to expedite this process, in order to create the market conditions that will encourage investment in future Canadian learning resources.
