Canada’s newspaper industry appears to be defying the worst trends of the industry south of the border. A study released by Statscan in April, 2008, reported that revenues at Canadian newspapers rose 2.6 per cent in 2006; that compares to a decline of 1.7 per cent in the U.S. at the same time.
Revenues were up in both advertising and circulation, though a change in accounting procedures complicates the comparison of circulation revenues. Profit margins were also healthy in 2006, according to the study, standing at 13.2 per cent across the industry in Canada and up to 21 per cent in Western Canada.
The study does not deal with industry performance in 2007 or 2008.