Skip to Main content

9.59°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Oct 6, 2023 6:37 PM - The Canadian Press

Online News Act not perfect but necessary: Heritage Minister

Share On

online-news-act-not-perfect-but-necessary-heritage-minister

Facebook parent company Meta has maintained that the legislation is based on the false premise that Meta and others unfairly benefit from news content, and that the only way it can reasonably comply with the law is to end news availability in Canada. (Photo: X/Pascale St-Onge )

Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says that while the Online News Act isn't perfect, the media landscape is changing too fast for the government to wait any longer.

Speaking at the MINDS international news agency conference in Toronto, St-Onge said that the government intends to stand firm with the law that will force Facebook and Google to pay for news links on their websites.

She says Facebook is using intimidation tactics by removing all news links in Canada before the act is even in force, and encouraged other countries to also take action against tech giants to protect news.

Facebook parent company Meta has maintained that the legislation is based on the false premise that Meta and others unfairly benefit from news content, and that the only way it can reasonably comply with the law is to end news availability in Canada.

Google has kept a more open dialogue with the government, and St-Onge said she had heard the company's concern about knowing how much they'll have to pay under the law.

St-Onge says that part of the challenge is that the government waited too long to regulate digital platforms, so it's starting with this law and can adapt it over time.

Latest news

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

The Canadian government has allocated nearly $30 billion in Budget 2026 to tackle homelessness across the country over the next 10 years. Under the plan, the government will invest $11.2 billion over the next four years, followed by another $17.8 billion over the subsequent six years, to help people overcome homelessness. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the initiative as one of the government's key policy priorities. Champagne said the funding aims to provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, build community-based mental health and addiction treatm

missing-hunter-found-dead-in-b-c-s-merritt-area

Missing Hunter Found Dead in B.C.'s Merritt Area

The body of a hunter who had been missing for several days has been found in the Merritt area of British Columbia. According to police, 57-year-old Klaus Farman Miles had gone hunting in the Douglas Lake area over the weekend but failed to return. A missing person report was filed on Monday morning after he could not be reached. Miles was last in contact with someone on Saturday. His van was later found abandoned near Glimpse Lake, prompting police and search-and-rescue teams to launch a search operation. Ground search teams and canine units were involved in the search. His body was recovered

poilievre-faces-third-major-staff-departure-as-deputy-chief-of-staff-resigns

Poilievre Faces Third Major Staff Departure as Deputy Chief of Staff Resigns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has suffered another major political setback, with his deputy chief of staff, Aaron Wudrick, resigning from his position. This marks the third significant departure from Poilievre’s team within a year. In a letter sent to party members and colleagues, Wudrick said he was leaving politics to pursue opportunities in the private sector and spend more time with his family. His resignation will take effect on November 27. Wudrick had been part of Poilievre’s team for the past two and a half years, initially serving as director of policy before becoming deput

pedestrian-critically-injured-after-pickup-truck-collision-in-prince-george

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck in Prince George on Thursday morning. The victim remains in hospital. According to police, the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. near Domano Boulevard and McGill Crescent. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A 48-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. No names have been released so far. This is the second serious pedestrian-related incident in Prince George this week. Earlier, on Monday at around 4:30 a.

powerful-storm-brings-heavy-rain-to-b-c-yellow-alerts-issued-for-metro-vancouver

Powerful Storm Brings Heavy Rain to B.C., Yellow Alerts Issued for Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada has issued yellow-level weather alerts for several parts of Metro Vancouver as a powerful storm brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to British Columbia’s coastal region. According to the weather agency, up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall in elevated areas of the North Shore and near the southern Howe Sound. Areas in northeastern Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam, could receive around 50 millimetres of rainfall by the evening. The agency says the rain is expected to gradually ease overnight. However, several more storm systems could move into the region early nex

Related News

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

The Canadian government has allocated nearly $30 billion in Budget 2026 to tackle homelessness across the country over the next 10 years. Under the plan, the government will invest $11.2 billion over the next four years, followed by another $17.8 billion over the subsequent six years, to help people overcome homelessness. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the initiative as one of the government's key policy priorities. Champagne said the funding aims to provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, build community-based mental health and addiction treatm

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has voiced support for the federal budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, calling it encouraging for Canada’s economic future. The budget includes $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry industry, which has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs. Doerkson expressed hope that British Columbia would receive a significant share of the funding, noting that the forestry sector is a major pillar of the province’s economy. Former B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also welcomed the funding, describing it as a good start. He said

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent in October, reaching its highest level in six months, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. Economists had expected the economy to add 13,600 jobs overall. However, instead of gaining jobs, Canada recorded a net loss of 4,700 positions last month. The decline was primarily driven by the private sector, which shed 53,000 jobs, marking its first major drop since February. Meanwhile, public-sector employment increased by 50,000 positions, while the construction industry added 16,000 jobs, helping offset some of t

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital