10.25°C Vancouver

Feb 23, 2023 7:34 PM - The Canadian Press

Media advocate calls Google's move to block news content disrespectful to Canadians

Share On
media-advocate-calls-googles-move-to-block-news-content-disrespectful-to-canadians
Google confirmed on Wednesday that it's blocking less than four per cent of Canadian users from viewing news content in a five-week test run of a potential response to the Liberal government's online news bill.

Advocates for the print and digital media industry say Google is disrespecting Canadian readers by temporarily blocking news to some of its users.

News Media Canada president Paul Deegan says the action is unbecoming of the leading global company.

Google confirmed on Wednesday that it's blocking less than four per cent of Canadian users from viewing news content in a five-week test run of a potential response to the Liberal government's online news bill.

Bill C-18 would require digital giants such as Google and Meta, which owns Facebook, to negotiate deals to compensate Canadian media companies for displaying or providing links to their news content.

FRIENDS, formerly known as Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, says the move by Google is about greed.

Its executive director Marla Boltman says Google is pursuing money at all costs, rather than co-operating with lawmakers around the world to support and sustain the free press and democracy.

Latest news

50-year-old-woman-killed-in-cement-truck-collision-near-vancouver-airport
BCOct 29, 2026

50-Year-Old Woman Killed in Cement Truck Collision Near Vancouver Airport

A 50-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a cement truck near Vancouver International Airport in Richmond on Wednesday. According to the RCMP, the incident occurred at around 3:20 p.m. in the area of Russ Baker Way and Miller Road. Emergency crews closed the roadway completely for several hours while investigating the collision. Sergeant Pak Yim expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family. Police said the truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with investigators. The RCMP is asking drivers who travelled through the a
melanie-joly-demands-stelco-reinstate-laid-off-workers-before-talks
CanadaOct 29, 2026

Melanie Joly Demands Stelco Reinstate Laid-Off Workers Before Talks

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has sent a strongly worded letter to Stelco President Paul Simon, demanding the immediate reinstatement of laid-off workers at the Ontario-based steelmaker. Joly said she is willing to meet with Stelco representatives and Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of its U.S. parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs. However, she made it clear that reinstating the laid-off workers would be a precondition for any discussions. Criticizing Goncalves, Joly said the company cannot use U.S. tariffs, which are hurting businesses on both sides of the border, as an excuse for the layoff
brenda-locke-blames-david-ebys-snap-election-call-for-her-defeat
BCOct 29, 2026

Brenda Locke Blames David Eby’s Snap Election Call for Her Defeat

Surrey’s outgoing Mayor Brenda Locke has blamed David Eby’s snap election call for her defeat, saying the unexpected decision to hold a provincial election between municipal elections created confusion among voters during the final two to three weeks of the campaign and fuelled political change. Locke claimed that there was no major demand for change in the municipal election until Eby announced the provincial election, after which the political situation began to shift. Reflecting on her tenure, Locke described improving Surrey’s environment and launching projects such as new sports fie
masked-suspects-open-fire-on-toronto-family-in-home-invasion-father-and-two-daughters-seriously-injured
CanadaOct 29, 2026

Masked Suspects Open Fire on Toronto Family in Home Invasion, Father and Two Daughters Seriously Injured

Three masked suspects broke into a home in Toronto’s Bridle Path neighbourhood early Thursday morning and opened fire on a family, seriously injuring a father and his two adult daughters. The incident occurred at around 3:45 a.m. at a residence on Hyde Park Circle. According to police, the three suspects entered the home through the back door armed with handguns and a hammer. They targeted a couple and their two adult daughters. When the family resisted the robbery, the suspects opened fire, shooting the father and both daughters. The mother was also injured after being struck with a hammer.
17-year-old-killed-in-dirt-bike-and-car-collision-in-nanaimo
BCOct 28, 2026

17-Year-Old Killed in Dirt Bike and Car Collision in Nanaimo

A 17-year-old has died following a road collision in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. According to the RCMP, the crash occurred at around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 2200 block of Extension Road in the southern part of the city, involving a dirt bike and a car. First responders rushed to the scene and made extensive efforts to save the teenager’s life. However, the victim succumbed to serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Following an initial investigati

Related News