Since May 2025, Canadian news outlets have begun receiving portions of the CAD 100 million that Google committed to pay annually under the Online News Act, passed in 2023. This legislation was designed to ensure that news organizations are compensated when their work generates value for tech platforms. The Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC), a federally incorporated nonprofit, distributes the funds according to rules set by the Canadian Parliament and the CRTC. The funding is distributed over five rounds, with eligibility requiring news organizations to submit proof of original reporting and operational capacity.
The allocation of funds varies significantly. Large outlets like the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Postmedia receive millions, while smaller community weeklies and college radio stations receive much less. Some funds are reserved for Indigenous news organizations, and the remainder is distributed based on newsroom size. Scholars and media managers see the funding as a positive infusion into the news ecosystem, although concerns remain about Google’s dominant position in digital advertising, which limits long-term sustainability for publishers.
Recipients such as The Logic and The Tyee use the funding to support staff salaries, cover operational costs, and expand their reporting capacities. These funds supplement existing revenue streams, which include subscriptions, grants, and partnerships. While the Act has helped level the playing field for smaller outlets compared to large publishers with pre-existing licensing deals, challenges remain as AI platforms begin establishing their own licensing agreements, leaving some outlets excluded.
Eligibility issues have left some independent and Indigenous media outlets behind. For example, IndigiNews was initially excluded due to bureaucratic technicalities related to its former parent company, while The Rover faced obstacles because it lacked formal full-time employees. These cases highlight how the system disproportionately favors larger, legacy media organizations over smaller, independent, or Indigenous publishers. Advocates call for a separate, Indigenous-managed fund to address these disparities and support the sustainability of diverse news voices.
Meta’s refusal to participate in similar funding arrangements has limited access to news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, significantly reducing engagement for some publishers. While some organizations, like The Logic and The Tyee, have adapted by focusing on direct audience engagement, emerging outlets such as IndigiNews and The Rover have had to develop workarounds, including paid advertising and creating alternative social media accounts. This illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by smaller publishers in navigating tech platforms and sustaining visibility.
Overall, while Google’s funding under the Online News Act has injected essential support into Canada’s news ecosystem, it also underscores ongoing inequalities and structural challenges. Large media outlets benefit disproportionately, smaller and Indigenous publishers face hurdles, and reliance on dominant tech platforms continues to pose risks to the diversity, sustainability, and reach of Canadian journalism.
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