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Bill C-18, or the Online News Act, is legislation that would force tech companies such as Google and Meta to strike deals with news organizations for posting or linking their content. The bill became law on June 22 and is expected to take effect by the end of 2023

AI chatbots use Canadian news, but Ottawa won’t say if they should be paying for it
<p>The federal government is dodging questions on whether or not tech giants should be paying Canadian news publishers for its content that AI chatbots are openly using. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick</p>
Evening Update: Israel’s military says it mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza
Israeli army tanks are deployed opposite the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, on December 14, 2023, amid ongoing battles with the Palestinian Hamas movement. Israel continued bombing Gaza on December 14 as a top White House adviser travelled to Jerusalem with a rift growing over civilian casualties. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Ottawa caps CBC’s share of Google funds under Online News Act at $7-million
A CBC camera follows Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge as she leaves a microphone after speaking with media in the Foyer of the House of Commons about CBC funding, in Ottawa, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Ottawa caps broadcasters’ share of Google funds under Online News Act
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons, Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in Ottawa. St-Onge says she wants Canada's broadcasting regulator to scope in Meta when the Online News Act comes into effect later this month as users find loopholes to share news despite the tech giant's block. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Ottawa holds talks with Meta over Bill C-18 as minister hints it could still face regulation
Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
report on business
AI chatbots use Canadian news, but Ottawa won’t say if they should be paying for it
<p>The federal government is dodging questions on whether or not tech giants should be paying Canadian news publishers for its content that AI chatbots are openly using. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday, June 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick</p>
canada
Evening Update: Israel’s military says it mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza
Israeli army tanks are deployed opposite the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, on December 14, 2023, amid ongoing battles with the Palestinian Hamas movement. Israel continued bombing Gaza on December 14 as a top White House adviser travelled to Jerusalem with a rift growing over civilian casualties. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
politics
Ottawa caps CBC’s share of Google funds under Online News Act at $7-million
A CBC camera follows Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge as she leaves a microphone after speaking with media in the Foyer of the House of Commons about CBC funding, in Ottawa, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
politics
Ottawa caps broadcasters’ share of Google funds under Online News Act
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons, Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in Ottawa. St-Onge says she wants Canada's broadcasting regulator to scope in Meta when the Online News Act comes into effect later this month as users find loopholes to share news despite the tech giant's block. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
politics
Ottawa holds talks with Meta over Bill C-18 as minister hints it could still face regulation
Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
technology
CRTC should look into regulating Meta when Online News Act comes into effect, St-Onge says
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons, Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in Ottawa. St-Onge says she wants Canada's broadcasting regulator to scope in Meta when the Online News Act comes into effect later this month as users find loopholes to share news despite the tech giant's block. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
canada
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge announces deal with Google on Online News Act
Video2:30
politics
Politics Briefing: U.S. assassination case sheds light on killing of Sikh activist in Canada
(FILES) A member of United Hindu Front organisation holds a banner depicting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer believed to be based in Canada designated as a Khalistani terrorist by the Indian authorities, during a rally in New Delhi on September 24, 2023. An Indian national has been charged with plotting to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on US soil, the Justice Department said on November 29, 2023, alleging an Indian government official was also involved in the planning. The news comes after the White House said last week it was treating an alleged plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil with "utmost seriousness," and had raised the issue with the Indian government. The Financial Times reported that same day that US authorities had thwarted a conspiracy to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US and Canadian citizen. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
politics
Ottawa agrees to $100-million deal with Google to keep news on platform
The Google News homepage is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Google had warned it would block the ability to search for news over Bill C-18 which it said would lead to uncapped financial liabilities.
opinion
On Bill C-18, Canada has a clear choice: flourish like Australia or flounder like Spain
Jonah Prousky
canada
Evening Update: Blinken calls on Israel to minimize civilian suffering; Canadian government airlift begins in Tel Aviv
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) looks on as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. Blinken arrived in a show of solidarity after Hamas's surprise weekend onslaught in Israel, an AFP correspondent travelling with him reported. He is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launched a withering air campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***
politics
Online News Act not perfect but necessary, Heritage Minister says
Pascale St-Onge, Canada's minister of Canadian Heritage, speaks alongside Frederic Vanasse, general manager and editor of The Canadian Press french services, during the MINDS International conference in Toronto, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
opinion
The government dug a deep hole for itself with Bills C-11 and C-18. And it’s only digging deeper
Andrew Coyne
politics
Ottawa bid to bring Google onside over Bill C-18 falls short
The Google News homepage is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. A new survey suggests that most Canadians feel news should be free and accessible for anyone, while also believing that media will find other ways to make money. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
politics
CBC stands to get largest share of cash from Online News Act, experts say
Canada’s leading media companies are banding together to work on reducing their collective impact on the environment. People walk into a CBC building in Toronto on April 4, 2012.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
politics
New Heritage Minister holds ‘positive’ talks with Meta executives, but won’t ‘roll back’ on Bill C-18
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge speaks to reporters during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
opinion
Canada’s new culture minister will have to tackle tech bullies and copyright reform
Kate Taylor
opinion
How we can move forward, now that the divisive Bill C-18 is law
Taylor Owen and Supriya Dwivedi
opinion
Google and Facebook act tough in Bill C-18 standoff because they are desperate
Dylan Freeman-Grist
report on business
Google withholds AI chatbot as Meta runs ads opposing Bill C-18
FILE - The Google logo is displayed at their offices on Nov. 1, 2018, in Granary Square, in London. Google is rolling out its artificial-intelligence powered chatbot Bard across Europe and in Brazil, expanding its availability to hundreds of millions more users in dozens of additional languages. The company also said Thursday, July 13, 2023, that it’s adding more features to Bard, as it scrambles to keep up with rival Microsoft, which uses OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT service in its Bing search engine.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
opinion
If Canada really is at war with Big Tech, we aren’t covering ourselves in glory
Jen Gerson
politics
B.C. Premier David Eby pulls advertising from Facebook over Bill C-18
David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, speaks to media at the Council of the Federation Canadian premiers meeting at The Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
report on business
Meta’s Threads may be regulated under Bill C-18, says minister
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez participates in a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Rodriguez says he's leaving the door open to regulating new social media platform Threads under a bill forcing Google and Meta to pay publishers for content they link to or repurpose. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
politics
Ottawa’s bid to bring Facebook onside on Bill C-18 not enough to stop it blocking news
FILE PHOTO: Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen on smartphone in front of displayed logo of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Whatsapp and Oculus in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
canada
Evening Update: Postmedia and Toronto Star parent company end merger talks
Postmedia signage is pictured at the head office in Toronto, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
politics
Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez proposes regulations to address Google, Facebook’s Bill C-18 concerns
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez speaks during a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, along Bloc MP Martin Champoux, right, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.&nbsp;Tensions between Ottawa and tech giants further escalated on Wednesday over Canada's recently passed Online News Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
canada
Evening Update: Ottawa suspends advertising on Facebook, Instagram over Bill C-18 standoff
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez participates in a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
politics
Politics Briefing: Ottawa freezes advertising on Facebook, Instagram over Bill C-18 standoff
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez participates in a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
politics
Ottawa, Quebec halt advertising on Facebook, Instagram over Bill C-18 standoff
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez participates in a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
morning update newsletter
Morning Update: U.S. senator urges Canada to stand firm against Meta, Google’s threats to block Canadian news over Bill C-18
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks on the upcoming anniversary of the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which ended a women's right to access an abortion, at the U.S. Capitol on June 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Democrats outlined their plan for a series of bills to protect women's rights including their plan to codify the right to contraception. Klobuchar was joined by (L-R) Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
politics
U.S. senator urges Canada to resist pressure from Meta, Google over Bill C-18
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks on the upcoming anniversary of the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which ended a women's right to access an abortion, at the U.S. Capitol on June 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Democrats outlined their plan for a series of bills to protect women's rights including their plan to codify the right to contraception. Klobuchar was joined by (L-R) Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
opinion
Newsrooms don’t need the CRTC’s eye
The Editorial Board
morning update newsletter
Morning Update: Google will stop linking to Canadian news
Members of the media view new Google products in a media area during the Google I/O event at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, on May 10, 2023. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
opinion
What Bill C-18 is trying to save might be too far gone
John Ibbitson
canada
Evening Update: Google says it will remove Canadian news links from its sites, Facebook cancels deals with outlets
FILE - A man using a cell phone walks past Google offices on Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. Attorneys debated the proper jurisdiction for settling a legal challenge to the first-in-the-nation tax on digital advertising during arguments before Maryland's highest court on Friday, May 5, 2023. Attorneys for Big Tech companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon have contended the law unfairly targets them. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
politics
Politics Briefing: Tech giants respond to Bill C-18 by withdrawing access to Canadian news on their platforms
Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez speaks to media as he leaves a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick