—While other cultural industries have benefitted from permanent tax credits, BC Publishers are required to submit a formal request to have the BC Book Publishing Tax Credit extended every five years. Gorman respectfully suggested that the book publishing industry deserves the same long-term commitment as film and digital media.
—Current support for export activities through Creative BC caps at $10,000 per publisher and isn’t enough to meet the challenges of U.S. trade uncertainty. Historically, the U.S. has been the primary export destination for Canadian books — but this is increasingly at risk. If B.C. publishers are to grow and survive, they need expanded, dedicated funding for international outreach to raise the global profile of B.C. voices and showcase our cultural strengths on the world stage.
—BC Arts Council funding, a key structural support for BC Publishers, has not seen a permanent increase in over a decade. This underscores a troubling trend: while publishers continue to face mounting cost pressures for everything from paper to shipping and distribution, core funding has remained effectively stagnant for over a decade and has not kept pace with demand.
—Finally, weak copyright protections (like those stemming from the ongoing issues with fair dealing) discourage investment in new work and harm creators at every level. Copyright protections must be clarified for a sustainable book publishing sector.
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- Remove the sunset clause from the BC Book Publishing Tax Credit and reaffirm long-term support for a proven tool that supports growth and stability.
- Increase the BC Arts Council’s annual budget to $58 million. Increase market expansion funding through Creative BC — enabling publishers to explore new audiences and revenue streams beyond the U.S.
- Support work to strengthen copyright protections through both advocacy and education so that B.C. creators and publishers can continue to invest in their work with confidence.