Google and Meta Could Contribute CA$230 Million to Canadian Media to Receive Exemptions Under Online News Act
Point 1: The Department of Canadian Heritage has released draft regulations for the implementation of the Online News Act, estimating that Google and Meta could contribute CA$230 million to Canadian media outlets to receive exemptions under the Act. Meta has already removed news links from its platforms in Canada, while Google has threatened to do the same.
Point 2: Digital platforms will be required to compensate Canadian media outlets if they earn a total global revenue of CA$1 billion or more, operate in a search engine or social media market involving the distribution and access of online news content in Canada, and have 20 million or more average monthly unique visitors in Canada. Currently, only Meta and Google qualify, but Microsoft’s Bing could also reach the threshold if it continues to grow its reach in Canada. However, Meta remains firm in its decision to end news availability in Canada, stating that the legislation is based on an incorrect assertion that it benefits unfairly from news content shared on its platforms. Google is carefully reviewing the proposed regulations.