7.34°C Vancouver

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

AlbertaMar 16, 2026

Driver killed in shooting on Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Leduc, police investigating

A driver was killed after shots were fired at a moving vehicle Saturday afternoon on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Leduc, according to police. Investigators say the incident happened around 2:50 p.m. near Township Road 490. Police said a black Honda Civic was travelling on the highway when a white or grey pickup truck pulled alongside and gunfire was directed at the car. The driver of the Honda Civic was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene, police said. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity. Police say the suspects fled the area in the pickup truck at a high rate
traffic-stop-in-salmon-arm-leads-to-arrest-and-seizure-of-loaded-handgun
BCMar 13, 2026

Traffic stop in Salmon Arm leads to arrest and seizure of loaded handgun

A traffic stop by Salmon Arm RCMP on March 11 resulted in the arrest of one person and the seizure of a loaded handgun, according to a police news release. RCMP said officers conducted the stop and observed indicators consistent with suspected drug trafficking. Both the driver and passenger were arrested, and a search during the investigation led officers to locate a loaded firearm. Police said the firearm and other items were seized as evidence. The driver was later released pending further investigation. Police said charges have been approved against the passenger, identified as Kale Skjeie.
cbsa-seizes-112-kg-of-opium-at-pacific-highway-commercial-border-crossing
BCMar 13, 2026

CBSA seizes 112 kg of opium at Pacific Highway commercial border crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency says officers seized 112 kilograms of opium earlier this year after examining a commercial truck at the Pacific Highway Commercial Operations port of entry in Surrey. According to a CBSA statement, border services officers inspected the truck on Jan. 9 after observing what the agency described as an anomaly in the trailer as the driver returned to Canada from the United States. During the examination, officers found cardboard boxes that did not match the type of packaging typically used to transport produce. A detector dog team was deployed and gave a positive
conservatives-nominate-diana-filipova-for-scarborough-southwest-federal-byelection
CanadaMar 13, 2026

Conservatives nominate Diana Filipova for Scarborough Southwest federal byelection

The Conservative Party has nominated middle school teacher Diana Filipova as its candidate in the upcoming federal byelection in Scarborough Southwest. The seat became vacant after former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Blair resigned his position as member of Parliament to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The byelection is scheduled for April 13. Scarborough Southwest is one of three ridings where voters will head to the polls that day. The Conservatives have now nominated candidates in all three contests. Another vote will take place in the Toronto riding of Universit
burnaby-rcmp-release-suspect-sketches-in-central-park-indecent-acts-investigation
BCMar 13, 2026

Burnaby RCMP release suspect sketches in Central Park indecent acts investigation

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify two suspects linked to a series of indecent acts reported in Burnaby’s Central Park earlier this year. According to a Burnaby RCMP news release, the detachment’s High Risk Offender Unit continues to investigate five incidents reported over a five-day period in January 2026. Police said four of the incidents occurred in Central Park and involved a male suspect committing acts ranging from public nudity to masturbation. Police first alerted the public to the incidents on Jan. 23. Investigators have since produced two suspect sketche

Related News