Feds reach deal with Google on Bill C-18

Google is set to pay $100 million a year to Canadian news outlets.

The federal government says the tech giant has agreed to take part in the Online News Act, or Bill C-18.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says it’s the first time a system like this has been created.

“Many doubted that we would be successful, but I was confident there was a way to address Google’s concerns, and make sure that Canadians would have access to news in Canada on their platform,” said St-Onge.

She says Google wanted certainty about the amount of compensation, and this will establish a fair relationship between them and news organizations.

This deal does not include Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram.

St-Onge noted that the ball is in Meta’s court.

“This legislation works. Now it’s on Facebook to explain why they’re leaving their platform to misinformation instead of participating in the viability of our news sector.”

She said the Google deal provides a level playing field for journalists and tech giants.

St-Onge also stated that Canada will re-open negotiations if better agreements are struck elsewhere.

Bill C-18 comes into effect on December 19th.