Diversifying the Industry, The Urban Concentration of the Canadian English Language Publishing Industry

Abstract

Due to the large number of English speakers and heterogeneous subjectivities that constitute Canada, this paper examines the cultural diversity of the Canadian English-language publishing industry. It relies on information collected by Statistics Canada and Canadian Heritage, and by three trade associations. The Association of Canadian Publishers, The Literary Press Group, and The Publisher’s Archive. The present work also argues that book production and distribution, as well as federal government subsidies, are concentrated in urban Ontario, particularly in Toronto. In addition, it compares this information with that of the other two large English-speaking provinces, British Columbia and Alberta, to point out that the concentration of the publishing industry in urban areas harms cultural diversity. Finally, this paper suggests that, apart from supporting established publishers, government subsidies could foster emerging publishing projects.