Skip to Main content

17.39°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 22, 2023 9:21 PM - The Canadian Press

Liberal bill requiring Google and Meta to pay for news content passes in Senate

Share On

liberal-bill-requiring-google-and-meta-to-pay-for-news-content-passes-in-senate

Meta is undergoing a test that blocks news for up to five per cent of its Canadian users, and Google ran a similar test earlier this year. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

A federal bill that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms is set to become law.

The Senate has passed the bill in a final vote and it is now awaiting royal assent amid a standoff between the Liberal government and Silicon Valley tech giants.

Ottawa, which says the law creates a level playing field between online advertising giants and the shrinking news industry, is now waiting to see if Meta or Google will react by removing journalism from their platforms in Canada.

Meta has said it plans to comply with the bill by ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users, while Google has hinted that removing news links from its popular search engine is a possibility.

Meta is undergoing a test that blocks news for up to five per cent of its Canadian users, and Google ran a similar test earlier this year.

The Online News Act requires both companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay them for news content that appears on their sites if it helps the tech giants generate money.

Latest news

daylight-shooting-in-langley-leaves-27-year-old-man-injured

Daylight shooting in Langley leaves 27-year-old man injured

A 27-year-old man was injured in a daytime shooting in Langley on Saturday, with police saying the incident is believed to be targeted and the investigation remains ongoing. Langley RCMP said officers responded to reports of an assault in the 5400 block of Brydon Crescent at approximately 12:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to hospital for treatment. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a statement that investigators are working to determine the circumstances and motive behind the shooting. Police have not released information about any suspe

b-c-cruise-passenger-tests-positive-for-hantavirus-after-mv-hondius-voyage

B.C. cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus after MV Hondius voyage

A passenger linked to the MV Hondius cruise has tested positive for hantavirus in British Columbia, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Health officials said the patient is a Yukon resident between the ages of 70 and 75 and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Victoria. Three other Canadian travellers connected to the cruise were also placed in isolation after returning to Canada. According to provincial health authorities, two additional Yukon residents remain hospitalized, while a fourth traveller is isolating at home. Officials said there is currently no risk to the

AlbertaMay 19, 2026

TSB investigating fatal glider crash northeast of Edmonton

RCMP say a glider crash in Lamont County, northeast of Edmonton, has left one person dead. Police responded to the crash shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, according to RCMP Cpl. Mathew Howell. The lone pilot aboard the aircraft was declared dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the identity of the pilot. Howell said next-of-kin notifications were still underway as of Tuesday. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said the aircraft involved was a privately registered Schleicher ASW 20 glider. In a statement, the agency confirmed it is deploying a team of investigators to examine the c

canadas-inflation-rate-rises-to-2-8-per-cent-in-april-as-gasoline-prices-climb

CanadaMay 19, 2026

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 2.8 per cent in April as gasoline prices climb

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.8 per cent in April, driven largely by higher gasoline prices, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The increase marks the first time in nearly two years that the consumer price index (CPI) has reached that level. Statistics Canada reported gasoline prices were up 28.6 per cent compared with the same month last year. Energy costs had also been a major factor in March, when the annual inflation rate reached 2.4 per cent. Food inflation showed some easing during the same period. Grocery prices increased 3.5 per cent year over year in Apr

AlbertaMay 15, 2026

Alberta legislature adjourns spring sitting amid separatism debate

Alberta MLAs wrapped up the spring sitting of the legislature this week following months of debate that frequently centred on separatist sentiment and political divisions at the legislature. The sitting included government legislation on issues ranging from public library materials to medical assistance in dying. However, exchanges in question period were often dominated by disagreements over separatism and the role of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government in responding to the movement. Government House Leader Joseph Schow said the United Conservative Party focused its legi

Related News

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 2.8 per cent in April as gasoline prices climb

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 2.8 per cent in April as gasoline prices climb

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.8 per cent in April, driven largely by higher gasoline prices, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The increase marks the first time in nearly two years that the consumer price index (CPI) has reached that level. Statistics Canada reported gasoline prices were up 28.6 per cent compared with the same month last year. Energy costs had also been a major factor in March, when the annual inflation rate reached 2.4 per cent. Food inflation showed some easing during the same period. Grocery prices increased 3.5 per cent year over year in Apr

Carney, Smith expected to unveil Alberta industrial carbon pricing deal tied to pipeline plan

Carney, Smith expected to unveil Alberta industrial carbon pricing deal tied to pipeline plan

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are expected to announce an agreement Friday on the future of industrial carbon pricing in Alberta, a move both governments have linked to plans for a new bitumen export pipeline to Canada’s West Coast. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the agreement would see Alberta’s industrial emissions price rise to an effective rate of $130 per tonne by 2040. Alberta froze its industrial carbon price at $95 per tonne last year. The expected announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by Ottawa and Alberta i

Indian man pleads guilty in cross-border human smuggling case linked to Canada–U.S. route

Indian man pleads guilty in cross-border human smuggling case linked to Canada–U.S. route

A 22-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court in connection with a human smuggling network accused of moving Indian migrants from Canada into the United States illegally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Authorities allege Shivam Lnu was involved in a cross-border operation that transported migrants from Canada into New York State between October 2024 and June 2025. Investigators said the network later arranged travel for migrants to other parts of the United States. According to the Justice Department, Shivam’s role included coordinating drivers, arranging pic

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital