11.2°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

peel-police-announce-17-arrests-in-alleged-extortion-network-targeting-punjabi-business-owners
BCMay 25, 2026

Peel police announce 17 arrests in alleged extortion network targeting Punjabi business owners

Peel Regional Police say 17 people have been arrested following a joint investigation into an alleged extortion network that targeted members of the Punjabi business community in Ontario and British Columbia. Police announced the arrests during a Monday press conference, describing the investigation as a coordinated operation involving Peel Regional Police, Surrey Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to police, investigators identified a criminal network known as the “Brothers Keepers” gang, which officers allege was link
surrey-home-targeted-in-second-shooting-in-six-weeks-police-investigating-possible-extortion-link
BCMay 25, 2026

Surrey home targeted in second shooting in six weeks, police investigating possible extortion link

A home near 94 Avenue and 127 Street in Surrey was struck by gunfire early Sunday morning in what police say may be connected to an ongoing extortion investigation. According to Surrey Police Service, officers responded to reports of shots fired at about 1:40 a.m. Residents were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but no injuries were reported. Police said the same property had previously been targeted in a shooting on April 13. Following that incident, investigators arrested 27-year-old Jaskaran Singh Saroe in connection with the case. The latest investigation remains in its early st
AlbertaMay 25, 2026

Dog owner showed “wanton disregard” in fatal Edmonton dog attack, judge says

An Edmonton judge says a dog owner convicted of criminal negligence causing death demonstrated a “wanton disregard” for the life of an 11-year-old boy who was fatally attacked by her dogs in 2024. Court heard that Kache Grist was attacked by two dogs belonging to Crystal MacDonald in April 2024 at an Edmonton home where the boy was visiting his father, who was living with MacDonald at the time. According to the court ruling, MacDonald testified she did not approve of the child staying at the home. The judge said there were several steps she could have taken to reduce the risk, including ke
langley-rcmp-investigating-fatal-single-vehicle-crash-on-48-avenue
BCMay 25, 2026

Langley RCMP investigating fatal single-vehicle crash on 48 Avenue

Langley RCMP say one person has died following a single-vehicle collision early Saturday in the Township of Langley. Police said officers responded at approximately 1:57 a.m. on May 24 to reports of a crash in the 20200 block of 48 Avenue. Emergency crews from the Township of Langley Fire Department, BC Emergency Health Services and Langley RCMP attended the scene. “Sadly, despite the rapid response and efforts of first responders, one individual was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a statement released Sunday. According to Langley RCMP, the circumstances surro
IndiaMay 25, 2026

Punjab civic elections Tuesday to cover 103 urban local bodies across state

Voting for Punjab’s urban local body elections will take place Tuesday across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats, according to the Punjab State Election Commission. The commission said 3,545,567 voters are eligible to cast ballots in the elections, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A total of 7,555 candidates are contesting the polls across the state. According to information released by the commission, 1,613 candidates are contesting municipal corporation seats, while 5,142 candidates are in the fray for municipal councils and 800 candidates a

Related News