Morneau stated that the government is committed to preserving the "important role that independent news media play in our democracy and in our communities." Although the federal government's financial package is "substantial," it fails to address the core issue impacting print media in Canada: falling ad revenues. If nothing is done to reverse this trend, more and more newspapers will be forced out of business. Canadians have a right to know what their government is doing with their money, so they can hold them accountable for their actions. However, under the current system, newspaper editors must decide whether to report on issues before them or whether to focus on raising cash by running ads. As more people turn to online sources for information, journalists who rely only on donations from readers are increasingly being left behind. "Independent journalism is vital to a free society and an open democracy," said Morneau. "It holds power elites accountable and informs the public about important issues." By investing in media companies, the federal government hopes to encourage better coverage of politics and policy-making processes. In conclusion, the Canadian government is investing in media companies because independent journalism is important to our democracy. Without these outlets, citizens would have no way of holding their leaders accountable for their actions.