8.58°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

AlbertaOct 09, 2026

Calgary Massage Therapist Faces Four More Sexual Assault Charges

A Calgary massage therapist is facing four additional sexual assault charges after four more alleged victims came forward. Police arrested 53-year-old Yuriy Zhivov in July in connection with an alleged incident during an appointment at Kinesio Massage Therapy, located on 17 Avenue SW, in August 2025. Following the release of information about the investigation, four additional victims contacted police, alleging that Zhivov had also committed criminal acts against them. As a result of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Kinesio Massage Therapy on October 1, 2026, and arrest
poilievre-pushes-back-against-musks-call-for-canadian-provinces-to-separate
BCOct 09, 2026

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has strongly criticized Elon Musk’s suggestion that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada, saying Canadians make their own decisions and should not waste time on foolish social media posts from people with no connection to the country. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Burlington, Ontario, on Friday, Poilievre said the focus should remain on the real challenges facing Canadians, including rising grocery prices, the housing shortage and the future of the economy. He said Canada would not be affected by someone’s tweets
gaurav-yadav-appointed-permanent-punjab-dgp
IndiaOct 09, 2026

Gaurav Yadav Appointed Permanent Punjab DGP

The Punjab government has appointed IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the permanent Director General of Police (DGP). He had been serving as the acting DGP since July 2022. With the appointment, Punjab Police will now have a permanent chief after operating under an acting DGP for nearly four years. The Punjab government had submitted a list of 14 IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of a permanent DGP.
poilievre-to-visit-alberta-to-deliver-speech-on-canadian-unity
AlbertaOct 09, 2026

Poilievre to Visit Alberta to Deliver Speech on Canadian Unity

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced that he will visit Alberta next week to deliver a speech on Canadian unity, just ahead of a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Speaking at a news conference in Ontario, Poilievre said he would also conduct more grassroots campaigning in the province. Asked about tech billionaire Elon Musk’s comments suggesting that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec should separate from Canada, Poilievre said Canadians decide their own future. The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan have dismissed Musk’s remarks.
CanadaOct 09, 2026

RCMP Union Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Crimes Agency

The RCMP union is raising concerns over Bill C-29, proposed legislation by the Canadian government to establish a new financial crimes agency to combat money laundering, online fraud and other financial crimes. Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that creating the new agency could further weaken the RCMP, which is already struggling with significant staffing and resource shortages. Under the government’s plan, 150 experienced RCMP investigators would initially be assigned to the new agency. Farrer objected to the proposal, argui

Related News