Ottawa says it remains open to a deal with Meta to restore news on Facebook and Instagram
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابThe federal government says it remains open to reaching an agreement that would bring news back to Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, after Meta blocked news in Canada following the 2023 Online News Act.
A spokeswoman for Culture Minister Marc Miller said the government is in ongoing discussions with Meta and that Ottawa’s “door has always been open” to talks on the issue, noting discussions with platforms have continued since the legislation was developed.
Miller said the conversations are “very preliminary,” while stressing Canada stands by the value of both the Online News Act and the Online Streaming Act.
Meta began ending news availability in Canada in August 2023 as the Online News Act came into force, and U.S. officials have since flagged the law as a trade irritant, Canadian Press reporting noted.
The report also said Canadian news outlets are now receiving payments from a C$100 million Google fund, while opposition MPs urged the government to find a path to end Meta’s news block
