Despite Google previously running tests to block some Canadian news in preparation for the passage of Bill C-18, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez says he is “surprised” that the tech giant has now announced it intends to block all links to Canadian news outlets once the Online News Act comes into effect in December.
“I’m a bit surprised by Google’s reaction,” Rodriguez said while appearing on CTV’s “Power Play” on June 29.
He said he did not anticipate Google would announce now that it was going to block news when the Online News Act takes effect in December, because the tech giant was requesting changes to the legislation that the government is “already” planning to make. He did not elaborate on what those changes might be.
“The status quo is not working because the money is going to the tech giants,” Rodriguez said, adding that Ottawa is still trying to negotiate with Google despite its decision.
News Blocking
Once it comes into effect, the Online News Act will require online platforms and digital news intermediaries to pay Canadian media outlets for any of their content that gets linked or shared on their platforms.As a result, Walker said Google will be removing all Canadian news links from its Search, News, and Discover products once the Online News Act comes into effect.
Walker added that the company will “no longer be able to operate Google News Showcase in Canada.”
“The unprecedented decision to put a price on links ... creates uncertainty for our products and exposes us to uncapped financial liability simply for facilitating Canadians’ access to news from Canadian publishers,” he wrote.
“We have been saying for over a year that this is the wrong approach to supporting journalism in Canada and may result in significant changes to our products.”