15.03°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

IndiaMay 27, 2026

Air India to reduce domestic flights by up to 22% amid rising fuel costs

Air India says it will temporarily reduce the number of its domestic flights by 20 to 22 per cent as the airline faces increasing aviation fuel prices and higher operating costs. The airline said it has already reduced some international flight operations by nearly 27 per cent as part of broader cost-management measures. According to the company, the decision was taken due to sustained high fuel prices, which have increased the cost of operating flights across several routes. In a statement issued Wednesday, Air India said flight frequencies on selected domestic and international routes will b
canada-to-release-long-awaited-national-ai-strategy-next-week-carney
CanadaMay 27, 2026

Canada to release long-awaited National AI Strategy next week: Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Wednesday that the federal government’s long-awaited National AI Strategy will be released next week. Speaking to reporters while heading into a Liberal caucus meeting, Carney said the strategy will outline Ottawa’s long-term plans for artificial intelligence policy and regulation in Canada. The federal government had previously identified six pillars that will form the foundation of the strategy in its economic update. According to government officials, the plan will include measures aimed at protecting Canadians from the risks associated with artifici
BCMay 27, 2026

B.C. LNG project signs long-term supply agreement with German energy company

A long-term agreement has been signed to supply liquefied natural gas from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG export terminal in northern British Columbia to Germany, according to an announcement made Wednesday by federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson in Vancouver. Hodgson said Germany-based energy company SEFE has agreed to purchase one million tonnes of LNG annually over a 20-year period. Supply from the project is expected to begin around 2030, pending construction and final investment approval. The Ksi Lisims LNG project is planned for British Columbia’s north coast near the Alaska border. While
former-environment-minister-steven-guilbeault-to-resign-as-mp-later-this-summer
CanadaMay 27, 2026

Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault to resign as MP later this summer

Former federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault has announced he will resign as a member of Parliament for his Montreal-area riding later this summer. Guilbeault informed Liberal caucus members of his decision during a national caucus meeting Tuesday morning. He said he will remain a member of caucus until stepping down from the seat later this summer. In a statement to colleagues, Guilbeault said that after nearly seven years serving as an MP and cabinet minister, he now wants to continue his environmental and climate advocacy work outside elected office. He also thanked constituents fo
rcmp-seize-fentanyl-mdma-and-weapons-from-suspected-drug-labs-in-abbotsford-and-chilliwack
BCMay 27, 2026

RCMP seize fentanyl, MDMA and weapons from suspected drug labs in Abbotsford and Chilliwack

RCMP say federal investigators have dismantled two suspected clandestine drug labs in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, leading to the seizure of large quantities of fentanyl, MDMA, cash and firearms. According to RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region, officers arrested three people during the operation. Police said the individuals were later released pending further investigation and no charges have been announced so far. Investigators said a suspected fentanyl production site was uncovered on May 1 in the 41000 block of Keith Wilson Road in Chilliwack. RCMP said officers seized about 40 kilograms of

Related News